On Tuesday, it was announced that Nico Collins signed an extension to remain a Houston Texan. The details are as follows: three years, $72.75 million, with $50 million guaranteed.
The 25-year-old got his money. But, why did the Texans make this move?
Came Out Of Nowhere
The 89th overall pick in 2021, Collins has great size and speed that made him stand out to Houston’s front office. Many were concerned about his ability to separate from defenders at the next level, and scouting reports were worried about his lack of speed out of his breaks.
Regardless, the Texans took a chance on the former Michigan product.
However, concerns that scouts had of Collins showed themselves in his first two years. He struggled to make an impact early, recording just 446 and 481 yards in 2021 and 2022 respectively. With just three touchdowns in two years, that didn’t give Texans fans much hope that he could develop into anything more than a WR3 or WR2, at best.
But, 2023 came. With quarterback C.J. Stroud firing the rock, Collins took off. He had six catches for 80 yards in week one against the Ravens and then exploded with seven catches for 146 yards and a score in week two against the Indianapolis Colts.
One thing to note: Collins never surpassed 100 yards receiving in a game in his first two seasons. He had five games of at least 104 yards last season alone.
Overall, it was an outstanding season for Collins and the Texans. He finished with career-highs across the board, racking up 80 catches for 1,297 yards and eight touchdowns. The wideout also made his presence felt in the postseason, going for six catches, 96 yards, and a score in the team’s wild-card win over the Browns. Though the season ended in the next round against the Ravens, Collins still racked up a respectable 68 yards.
He Is Here To Stay
Collins had a PFF grade of 91.0 in 2023, ranking him among the best of the best at his position. His 16.2 yards per reception are eye-popping, and it’s clear C.J. Stroud has a deep threat.
Adding Stefon Diggs this offseason makes the Texans’ offense one of the most dangerous units in the NFL. But, we wouldn’t be saying this if Collins didn’t have the season he just had in 2023. With Diggs, Collins, Tank Dell, and Dalton Schultz, Stroud is going to have a great sophomore season.
More importantly, Nico Collins has proved the doubters wrong. Maybe all he needed was time to develop and a competent quarterback to get him the football. He has both, and the sky is the limit.
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Featured Image: Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images
