How Texans’ Nico Collins plans to dominate the 2023 season

HOUSTON — When Nico Collins signed his rookie contract with the Houston Texans in 2021, one of his long-term goals was to get a contract extension.

As the wide receiver headed to the Texans locker room on May 28, Collins’ agent, Drew Rosenhaus, called.

It was a quick call, as Rosenhaus told his client “congratulations” after signing a three-year extension worth $72.75 million, becoming general manager Nick Caserio’s first draft pick to be prolonged. But for 2024, Collins has new goals: The former Michigan third-rounder aims to surpass his 2023 season when he totaled 1,297 yards (ranked eighth) and eight touchdowns (tied for eighth).

“I’m trying to run at least 1,500 yards. That’s what I’m aiming for,” Collins told ESPN. “I’m chasing guys I’ve watched for years. Julio Jones, Calvin Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald, successful receivers who made the game so easy.”

Prior to 2023, Collins had 927 receiving yards and three touchdowns in two seasons. But quarterback CJ Stroud arrived last season and saw him as a “superstar” during their first training camp.

Collins validated Stroud’s preseason evaluation by becoming his No. 1 receiver for a Texans offense ranked eighth in passing yards per game (243.6). Collins’ breakout helped Stroud lead the league in passing yards per game (274) en route to a Pro Bowl season as a rookie.

But for Stroud, this is just the beginning as they enter sophomore year together. And if Collins achieves his goal, he would become the third Texas player to reach that mark, joining DeAndre Hopkins and the franchise’s all-time leading receiver Andre Johnson, who will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in August .

“When (Collins’) the number is called, he always makes a play,” Stroud said. “He’s a generational talent. He’s like our era’s Andre Johnson, in my opinion, how fast he is, how he gets in and out of his breaks, his outs, how strong he is. I think last year was just a taste of what was to come.”

Collins believes reaching the next level will be all about the little details. He does extra exercises after practice to improve his footwork. He also challenges himself by catching passes when fatigue sets in to prepare for those critical moments arriving during the season.

Even if the team believes in Collins’ ability, the abundance of talent within the Texans’ offense — which is a fortunate circumstance for them — could hamper his production.

The Texans improved their receiving space by trading Stefon Diggs, who has six straight 1,000-yard seasons, to team with Collins and Tank Dell, who finished with 709 yards in 11 games before breaking his leg. They also bolstered the running back room by trading for 2021 Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon and re-signing tight end Dalton Schultz.

Collins sees this as a chance for the attackers to feed off each other. And during OTAs and mandatory minicamp, that was on display.

When Diggs caught the attention of the Texans defense, Collins took advantage of the extra space up the middle. If Diggs and Collins weren’t open, Stroud could go after Dell. Otherwise, he had Schultz and Mixon underneath.

Even though Collins has lofty goals, winning is at the forefront. So if the Texans win at a high level, he’ll be more than happy with the statistical tradeoff.

“It’s going to be tough on defenses,” Collins said. “I think for us it will give everyone opportunities to shine and win. That’s our mission. We’re trying to win a Super Bowl. We can’t be selfish, we have to have the spirit of team. I must be happy for your brother when he makes a play.