Nico Collins is currently the terrorizing defensive backs on Sunday afternoons as the NFL’s leading receiver. The gap between him and New York Giants receiver Malik Nabers doesn’t even create a conversation.
But is Collins the top offensive name entering October? According to ESPN’s Bill Barnwell, he’s in the running.
The fourth-year Houston Texans’ target was named third in the Offensive Player of the Year list, trailing Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley and Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry. Barnwell sees Collins as a constant security blanket for C.J. Stroud, often factoring in wins more than the quarterback.
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“Collins has separated from the rest of Houston’s receivers and from everyone else in football. He’s being targeted at the league’s 22nd-highest rate, but what he’s doing with those targets is remarkable,” Barwell wrote. “He is 10 targets behind Nabers for the most of any receiver, but he tops the Giants wideout and everyone else by more than 100 receiving yards. He has four more first downs than anybody else, and the only wideouts converting targets into first downs at a higher rate are Chris Godwin and Chris Olave.”
Through four games, Collins leads all receivers with 489 yards and 30 catches. His yardage also marks the best start of a Texans receiver in franchise history, surpassing DeAndre Hopkins in 2018.
Barnwell also mentioned that while Nabers remains the top target in volume, it’s moments that separate Collins as the top threat on the outside.
Nico Collins is casually on pace for 1,915 yards incase anyone was curious pic.twitter.com/b7r6lww93O
— Austin Abbott (@AustinAbbottFF) September 28, 2024
“He’s also been at his best in key situations, leading the NFL in yards per route run on third down,” Barnwell wrote. “In an offense in which C.J. Stroud is spoiled with options, Collins is the guy the star quarterback invariably looks for when he needs a conversion.”
Collins will have an opportunity to better his odds as the No. 1 offensive threat when the Texans play host to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday at noon CT.
