The Houston Texans take a Nico Collins “clone” in the second round of the draft
The absence of Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell from Houston’s pass-catching corps left the team shallow at wide receiver. The Texans remedy that with the second pick in Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft (No. 34 overall) by selecting Jayden Higgins from Iowa State. The high draft capital virtually assures that Higgins will start opposite Pro Bowl receiver Nico Collins in catching passes from C.J. Stroud on Day 1.
Higgins has been a fantasy darling among fantasy managers whose stock has risen throughout the draft process. Higgins logged a 4.47 40-yard dash time and slayed other combine measurables. While a 4.47 is not typical of a massively impressive time, the fact that Higgins is a Collins-like prototype at 6-4 and 214 pounds makes it eye-catching.
The 22-year-old Higgins finished his two-year career with the Cyclones, amassing 140 catches for 2,166 yards and 15 trips to paydirt.
Author: Sam Schneider (@BuyAndSellYou)
The Houston Texans restructured the contract of star wide ...
Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins finished his ...
Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins continues to be a...
The Houston Texans had 3 players on offense and one defender selected to the prowl bowl for the 2024 NFL season.
On offense, wide receiver Nico Collins, running back Joe Mixon and tackle Laremy Tunsil have all been awarded a Pro Bowl spot. Collins has missed 5 games this year but still has an impressive 63 receptions for 968 yards and 6 touchdowns. He’s averaging 88 yards per game, 4th best in the NFL this year. Joe Mixon, who missed 3 games himself, has 240 carries for 993 rushing yards, 304 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns this season. Laremy Tunsil logged yet another stellar season at left tackle – he has only allowed 2 sacks, 3 hits, and 19 total pressures on the year.
From their defense, the Texans will send cornerback Derek Stingley to the Pro Bowl this year. Stingley has 5 interceptions, good for 6th best in the NFL and is 2nd in the league with 18 passes defended this season.
Lukasz Stec, @Lukasz_FF01
The Houston Texans top wideout has been eased back into action since returning from IR. With a nice week 12 result, Nico Collins looks to be back in WR1 consideration.
In a season hampered by injury and in which C.J. Stroud has yet to take the second year leap we anticipated, the Texans have been cautious bringing back the key piece to their passing attack. Nico Collins has steadily increased his snap count from just 32 in Week 11, to 44 snaps in week 12 against the Titans. On only a 65% snap share Collins has already reclaimed his alpha receiver role. He lead the team in Targets (9), Receptions (5), Yards (92) and a Touchdown, which resulted in a WR 10 finish in PPR. And oh by the way, the aforementioned Titans are ranked 1st in pass defense on the year.
Despite their less-than-ideal results, the Texans are in pole position for the AFC south with the rest of the division struggling this year. Expect the team to lean on Collins and Mixon the rest of season, and breathe a sigh of relief if you are able to put Nico Collins back in your lineup to help clinch and hopefully win the playoffs.
Lukasz Stec, @Lukasz_FF01
Nico Collins is one of the top risers in PlayerProfiler’s Dynasty Deluxe lifetime value rating for the beginning of October.
Nico Collins has been one of the best receivers to start 2024, but many people still hesitate to put him in the same conversation as Ja’marr Chase and Justin Jefferson. This is likely due to him being a late bloomer in the NFL and not being a blue chip prospect coming into the league. However, his production is undeniable at this point, and he demands to be valued as a tier 1 wide receiver, even in a crowded receiving room with Tank Dell and Stefon Diggs.
Through 4 weeks, he has 489 receiving yards and is on pace for 2,078 yards (which would break the NFL record by more than 100 yards). This currently puts him 103 yards ahead of the next closest receivers, Malik Nabers (who will miss week 5), and Chris Godwin (who already played his week 5 game on Thursday night). While some regression can be expected, Collins is truly in a league of his own right now, standing at 6’4″ and catching passes from one of the best QBs in the game, C.J. Stroud. The freakiest part about Collins is that he’s also 3rd in yards after the catch and is extremely dangerous once the ball in his hands, which isn’t typical for a player size.
Dynasty Managers looking for a top tier receiver should take a close look into Collins’ game, as he possesses a rare combination of size, speed, hands, and route running acumen that no other player does right now. Don’t be afraid to make a strong offer for Collins while there still may be owners who doubt his greatness.
Texans rule out Tank Dell with rib injury, Collins will play after limited practice on Thursday.
The Texans are looking to bounce back after an embarrassing defeat at the hands of the undefeated Vikings on the road in week 3. Now it appears that they will have to do so without the services of 2nd year star wide receiver Tank Dell. Dell suffered bruised ribs in the week 3 loss to the Vikings, and will not be available. Nico Collins is expected to play after popping up on the injury report on Thursday with a hamstring injury. Collins was able to return to a full practice during Friday’s session.
Collins is expected to feast on a Jacksonville secondary that plays man coverage at the highest rate in the NFL. Collins has been QB C.J. Stroud’s favorite target so far and has commanded a 42% first read share against man coverage. Currently, he is 2nd in the NFL in receiving yards, trailing only rookie Malik Nabers who played on Thursday night. Collins is an elite option and must be started in all formats.
Nico Collins and the Texans have agreed to a three-year extension worth $72.75 million.
The deal includes $52m guaranteed and has a max value of $75 million. Collins earned every penny after breaking out in a big way last season, tallying nearly 1,300 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns on 80 receptions. Even with the Texans adding Stefon Diggs this offseason, this move shows who they view as their true alpha of the future.
Collins becomes nearly unsellable in dynasty formats right now. Being 25 years old and tied to rookie of the year C.J. Stroud for the foreseeable future is stuff his managers could’ve only dreamed of last year when he was just some sleeper everyone wanted to see break out. Fantasy Managers should continue to target Collins near the top of 2024 drafts in all formats, as he offers consistency, upside, and long-term viability.
