The Texans have signed third-round wide receiver Tank Dell to a four-year contract, according to his agent, David Canter.
It’s worth $5.719 million and includes a $1.159 million signing bonus with base salaries of $750,000, 915,000, $1.03 million and $1.145 million , according to a league source.
Dell should provide a boost to the return game and as a skilled slot receiver for offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik.
They selected him 69th overall after a trade up, sending the 73rd and 161st overall picks to the Los Angeles Rams for the 69th pick and the 191st pick. He caught 228 career passes for 3,155 yards and 32 touchdowns.
“My nickname should be explosive,” Dell said after being picked by the hometown Texans. “All I do is make explosive plays. I’m here to make explosive plays in this offense for Bobby Slowik. They’re getting a dog. I have a winning spirit.”
Dell visited the Texans and was scouted individually at his campus Pro Day workout by general manager Nick Caserio and special teams coordinator Frank Ross.
“I prayed for this,” Dell said. “I wanted to be here. I even sent a message to them on Instagram. It’s just a blessing to be here.”
He also visited the Cleveland Browns and worked out privately for the Dallas Cowboys and Buffalo Bills.
Dell has run the 40-yard dash in 4.49 seconds.
Although undersized, he has outstanding hands, quickness, route-running skills and is a dangerous returner.
Now, he’ll play with Texans rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud.
“He knows how to win, I’m coming here to help him realize his dreams,” Dell said. “Me and him are going to work for sure. I’m ready to go to work tonight.”
The Alabama A&M and Independence Community College transfer caught 90 passes for 1,329 yards and 212 touchdowns in 2021.
“Couldn’t be more happy for Tank,” UH coach Dana Holgersen said. “He loves the city of Houston. He is a special player with explosive ability. For him to continue his career here is as good as it gets.”
Dell (5-foot-8 3/8, 165 pounds) has called himself “the best wide receiver in the draft.”
Dell said he has a “chip on his shoulder,” and has something to prove.
He even has written down every wide receivers’ name drafted above him.
Dell, a two-time all-conference selection, caught 109 passes for a nation-high 1,398 yards and 17 touchdowns last season. He finished second in the nation in catches.
The Daytona Beach, Florida native originally committed to Florida International University.
“I helped Houston get back to its winning days,” Dell said. “I’m ready to do the same here.”
Texans sign LB, TE, cut Jermaine Carter
By Aaron Wilson
The Texans are signing rookie linebacker Ian Swenson following a successful rookie minicamp tryout, according to a league source.
The Texans later announced the move and terminated the contract of veteran linebacker Jermaine Carter.
Carter, 28, is a former Panthers fifth-round draft pick from Maryland. He has 178 career tackles, a half-sack, two fumble recoveries and one blocked punt.
He played in seven games with one start last season for the Cleveland Browns and had 16 tackles. He started a career-high 17 games in 2021 for Carolina and had 88 tackles, three quarerback hits, three tackles for losses and one fumble recovery.
Swenson is an undrafted free agent from Connecticut.
Swenson recorded 88 tackles, four for losses and one interception. The 6-foot-2, 215-pounder finished his career with 242 tackles, 14 for losses, three sacks and two forced fumbles.
A converted defensive back, Swenson was invited to the New York Jets rookie minicamp before working out for the Texans.
Swenson has run the 40-yard day in 4.57 seconds with an 11-5 broad jump and a 41 1/2-inch vertical leap.
The Texans are signing former Hawaii and Missouri State tight end Jordan Murray, according to his agent, Sean Stellato.
Murray went undrafted.
A transfer to Hawaii, Murray (6-foot-5, 247 pounds) caught 26 passes for 351 yards and two touchdowns at Missouri State two years ago.
He finished his Missouri State career with 99 catches for 1,196 yards and 11 touchdowns.
He caught 10 passes for 70 yards last season for Hawaii.
Aaron Wilson is a contributor to Sports Talk 790