Houston Texans WR Nico Collins walked into the 2023 season as a large receiver who had but to surpass 40 receptions in a single season. He was additionally the 14th extensive receiver taken in his 2021 NFL Draft class.
Collins is now a 1,000-yard extensive receiver and spent his Saturday getting the NFL world buzzing over his efficiency that ended the lengthy playoff dry spell for the Texans.
‘A Rising Star’ Amongst Reactions for Nico Collins
Collins snatched 9 receptions on all 9 targets from the arm of C.J. Stroud. And the now third-year wideout tallied 195 yards within the 23-19 street win over the Indianapolis Colts.
By 10:15 p.m. ET, Collins had already topped the 150-yard mark towards a Colts group additionally preventing for a postseason berth. Collins earned “a rising star” label by PFN.
A rising star 📈 https://t.co/yu3h1v3RwU
— Professional Soccer Community (@PFN365) January 7, 2024
Straight away, the Stroud and Collins connection proved to be deadly within the Heartland.
The Stroud to Collins connection is LETHAL pic.twitter.com/4DGuxANJRE
— Professional Soccer Community (@PFN365) January 7, 2024
He even ran offended on brief throws made by Stroud, turning a easy go right into a violent rumbling achieve.
Nico Collins working ANGRY 😡
📺: #HOUvsIND on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/C88VYpgzkh pic.twitter.com/xnTvMcZONa— NFL (@NFL) January 7, 2024
However Collins even delivered the catch of the evening in what was initially trying like a thrown-away go by Stroud. Collins, nevertheless, refused to permit that ball to bounce off the bottom.
For those who did not know who CJ Stroud was earlier than tonight, you rattling nicely know now. pic.twitter.com/ufaUHXhr2l
— Professional Soccer Community (@PFN365) January 7, 2024
In the long run, Collins earned a comparability to Texans wideout legend Andre Johnson throughout the sport.
MORE: PFN’s FREE NFL Playoff Predictor
Then, the X (previously generally known as Twitter) account for NFL Rookie Watch despatched out the reminder that Collins bought handed over within the NFL Draft. One notable title that went forward of the Michigan product? The usually criticized Kansas Metropolis Chiefs wideout Kadarius Toney.
Nico Collins simply made each group look SILLY for passing on him within the 2021 NFL Draft.
Collins needed to watch 13 WR’s go earlier than him (together with Kadarius Toney), now he’s the most effective WR’s within the league.
Collins’ ultimate 2023 common season stats:
• 80 receptions (led group)
•… pic.twitter.com/gGYiFEpu1h— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) January 7, 2024
In the meantime, Reese’s Senior Bowl government director Jim Nagy believes Collins is making a powerful case for “most underrated wide receiver in the league.”
Even Tremendous Bowl-winning extensive receiver Torry Holt couldn’t assist however put up how Collins “balled” on the evening with a postseason berth on the road.
Collins Himself Reacts to Breakout Evening
The 6’4″ Collins could also be removed from turning into the brand new Johnson for Houston. Or turning into simply as ultra-productive as previous Texans prime wideout De’Andre Hopkins.
However he’s now on this class with the aforementioned previous Houston WR stars: The 1,200-yard membership, as Collins surpassed that mark in Indy.
To hit that mark, Collins admitted to reporters postgame he needed to take higher care of his physique in comparison with years previous. He spent the primary two seasons of his profession coping with calf, foot, and shoulder illnesses.
“It’s a part of the sport. So it was time for a few guys to step up,” Collins stated.
This time, although, he and the Texans needed to navigate with some vital knicks and bruises that hit the group arduous. Rookie Tank Dell was among the many Texans who went from breakout debut to happening injured reserve due to a damaged fibula. Even Stroud needed to miss some motion with a concussion late within the season.
Collins and the Texans refused to waiver.
“We’ve by no means had our full squad,” Collins stated. “As soon as we’ve everyone again, we’re a group that may make some issues occur. We’re on a mission.”
Collins actually appeared like a person on a mission — one which concerned ending a three-year streak of lacking the playoffs. He’s now not generally known as the oft-injured WR who couldn’t crack the 40-catch mark. He turned a significant cause the Texans are again within the playoffs.
After shredding the Colts along with his almost 200-yard evening, Collins ended it by sending out an emotional message to “H-City.”
“Houston, we did that for y’all,” Collins stated by way of the cellular phone.
FOR THE CITY 🤘 pic.twitter.com/5wAQUkwe2s
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) January 7, 2024
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