A lot of returning players for the Houston Texans improved dramatically over the past season. That’s what happens when a team goes from the second-worst record in the NFL to atop the division and two games away from the Super Bowl in one year.
But no one improved more than third-year wide receiver Nico Collins, according to Pro Football Focus. Not only did Collins’ PFF grade rise by almost 20 points year-over-year, but Collins broke 1,000 receiving yards for the first time in his career. The former third-round pick finished the season with 80 receptions for 1,297 yards and eight touchdowns. Those numbers are more than his previous two seasons combined. He also tallied 11 receptions for 164 yards and a touchdown in two postseason games.
Collins evolved personally as a player, but it helped too that he had a bonafide star quarterback in C.J. Stroud with an innovative offensive coordinator in Bobby Slowik. Collins was especially effective against man coverage this past season and proved himself to be one of the best big-play wideouts in the league.
Stroud focused on Collins as his No. 1 target a lot this year, especially after rookie wideout Tank Dell suffered a season-ending injury. He could remain the Texans’ top wide receiver in 2024, but it would behoove Houston to bring in at least another starting-caliber receiver to take some pressure off Collins and Dell next season.
The arrow is pointing up on Collins as he nears towards extension eligibility.
