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
Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins caught three of ...
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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.
Texans Wide Receiver Noah Brown is set to miss at least the next four games on Injured Reserve.
Rookie C.J. Stroud seems to have found his favorite targets in Nico Collins and Robert Woods, who combined for 21 targets in week one. That said, we have a bit more clarity now on who will arise as the WR3 for the Texans. With Brown set to miss at least the next 4 games, you can expect Tank Dell and John Metchie to battle it out for Brown’s role, which led him to play 68% of snaps in week one.
Metchie is working his way back from missing last year battling Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia, and missing week 1 of 2023 with a hamstring injury. Metchie returned to practice this week and there’s hope he’ll be playing his first NFL game this weekend.
Rookie Tank Dell played his first NFL game last week and was relatively quiet with 3 catches for 34 yards while playing just under 50% of the snaps. That number is expected to increase with this latest news on Noah Brown. While there is plenty of reason to be hopeful for the long-term outlook of both Metchie and Dell, you can expect them to both have a fairly even split working as the WR3 if they’re both active this Sunday. It’s not quite time to put either in your lineup yet.
