Texans Drafted Nathaniel Dell at C.J. Stroud’s Request

They wasted no time accommodating their new quarterback.

C.J. Stroud wasted no time letting his new team know what he needed. Shortly after he was drafted by the Texans last week, the former Ohio State quarterback told team leadership that he wanted them to draft a specific player—and they did just that. 

While at the NFL combine, Stroud and Houston wide receiver Nathaniel “Tank” Dell threw together and the two clicked. Dell said the two spoke after Stroud was selected with the No. 2 pick and he told Stroud “tell ’em to come get me.” Stroud responded, “I got you, trust me.”

Sure enough, Stroud FaceTimed Dell and said he told the Texans that he wanted them to select the wideout. 

CJ Stroud and Tank Dell's relationship goes back to the NFL combine.
⁰After Stroud was drafted by the Texans, he told the front office he wanted the Houston Cougar wide receiver and they delivered:@Tankdell4 | @CJ7STROUD pic.twitter.com/zqscFluXkc

— Chancellor Johnson (@ChancellorTV) May 2, 2023

Houston stayed local and took Dell in the third round of the draft to accommodate their new quarterback. What they got was a 5’ 10” speedster who finished his junior year with 109 catches for 1,398 yards and 17 touchdowns. Not a bad start to the relationship, to say the least.