Nico Collins
25-Year-Old
2023 Receiving Stats
REC
80
YDS
1297
TD
8
AVG
16.2
TAR
109
2024 Projections
2024 Fantasy Outlook
The once-famous Year 3 breakout is far less common now that high-end WR production tends to happen either immediately or never, but Collins did in a big way last year, buoyed by rookie QB C.J. Stroud. The 2021 third-round pick never lacked for physical tools, coming out of Michigan with a 4.43 40-yard dash and 37.5-inch vertical at 6-4, 215. Production was another matter, with Collins totaling 1,388 yards and 13 TDs over three collegiate seasons in run-heavy offenses before opting out of a COVID-shortened senior campaign. He then had 446 yards in 14 games as a rookie and 481 yards in 10 games his second season, with injuries perhaps obscuring significant progress in terms of target-earning and per-game production from Year 1 to 2. Collins exploded for 428 yards and three TDs over the first four weeks of 2023, before tailing off a bit while rookie Tank Dell took the lead in Houston's passing game. Collins got hot again, and if not for calf injuries costing him two full games and all but three snaps of another, he might've gone north of 1,500 yards. He reached 80 yards in eight of the 13 games in which he played at least half of Houston's snaps, including totals of 195, 191, 168, 146 and 101. Collins finished third among WRs in yards per target (11.9) and yards per route (3.29), then added 164 yards on 17 targets in two playoff games. It was a resounding series of performances that leaves little doubt about Collins being a high-quality player, but his 2024 fantasy projection is less of a sure thing in light of the Texans' trade for Stefon Diggs. While the 30-year-old presumably won't be the same target hog he was in Buffalo, there's nonetheless a ton of competition for Stroud's attention in an offense that also has Dell, TE Dalton Schultz and RB Joe Mixon. Read Past Outlooks
RANKS
Joined by Diggs in Houston
Collins and Tank Dell will face increased target competition in 2024 after the Texans acquired Stefon Diggs from the Bills on Wednesday, ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
C.J. Stroud had one of the best rookie seasons ever by an NFL quarterback and now has arguably the best group of pass catchers in the league. Diggs is coming off six consecutive seasons with at least six touchdowns and more than 1,000 yards, and he's now joining an offense in which Collins put up 80-1,297-8 receiving line on 109 targets (15 games) and Dell produced a 47-709-7 line on 75 targets (11 games). The Texans also have useful pass catchers at running back and tight end with Joe Mixon and Dalton Schultz, creating a scenario that'll make it hard for some (or all) of the players to get as many passing-game looks as they might on other teams. On the other hand, Houston's offense has a chance to be one of the most efficient in the league, and adding Diggs could encourage offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik to call pass plays at a higher rate than he did last season.
C.J. Stroud had one of the best rookie seasons ever by an NFL quarterback and now has arguably the best group of pass catchers in the league. Diggs is coming off six consecutive seasons with at least six touchdowns and more than 1,000 yards, and he's now joining an offense in which Collins put up 80-1,297-8 receiving line on 109 targets (15 games) and Dell produced a 47-709-7 line on 75 targets (11 games). The Texans also have useful pass catchers at running back and tight end with Joe Mixon and Dalton Schultz, creating a scenario that'll make it hard for some (or all) of the players to get as many passing-game looks as they might on other teams. On the other hand, Houston's offense has a chance to be one of the most efficient in the league, and adding Diggs could encourage offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik to call pass plays at a higher rate than he did last season.
NFL Stats
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Fantasy/Red Zone Stats
See red zone opportunities inside the 20, 10 and 5-yard lines along with the percentage of time they converted the opportunity into a touchdown.
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Advanced NFL Stats
How do Nico Collins' 2023 advanced stats compare to other wide receivers?
This section compares his advanced stats with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank.
The longer the bar, the better it is for the player.
Air Yards Per Game
77.9Air Yards Per Snap
1.82% Team Air Yards
23.9%% Team Targets
19.2%Avg Depth of Target
10.7 YdsCatch Rate
73.4%Drop Rate
3.7%Avg Yds After Catch
7.0% Targeted On Route
27.7%Avg Yds Per Route Run
3.29Loading Advanced NFL Stats...
2023
2022
2021
2023 NFL Game Log
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Snap Distribution / Depth Chart
Snap Counts
Snap %
Receiving Alignment Breakdown
See where Nico Collins lined up on the field and how he performed at each spot.
Detailed
Grouped
Side
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2023 Nico Collins Split Stats
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Measurables Review
View College Player Page
How do Nico Collins' measurables compare to other wide receivers?
This section compares his draft workout metrics with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that metric and it would be considered average.
* All metrics are from his Pro Day (not the combine).
Height
6' 4"Weight
215 lbs40-Yard Dash
4.45 secShuttle Time
4.32 secCone Drill
6.79 secVertical Jump
37.5 inBroad Jump
125 inBench Press
14 repsHand Length
9.38 inArm Length
34.13 in
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Could be challenged for No. 1 role
Collins is no longer Houston's clear top wide receiver heading into the 2024 season, after the Texans acquired Stefon Diggs from the Bills on Wednesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
ANALYSIS
After failing to reach 500 receiving yards in either of his first two NFL seasons, Collins broke out with 1,297 yards in 2023, due in large part to seeing a team-high 109 targets. Diggs commanded at least 154 targets in each of his four seasons with the Bills, and if Diggs becomes the top option for quarterback C.J. Stroud, Collins would likely see a decrease in volume, especially once fellow wide receiver Tank Dell recovers from a broken fibula.
After failing to reach 500 receiving yards in either of his first two NFL seasons, Collins broke out with 1,297 yards in 2023, due in large part to seeing a team-high 109 targets. Diggs commanded at least 154 targets in each of his four seasons with the Bills, and if Diggs becomes the top option for quarterback C.J. Stroud, Collins would likely see a decrease in volume, especially once fellow wide receiver Tank Dell recovers from a broken fibula.
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2023
2022
2021
Collins typically played a lot of snaps when healthy his first two seasons, but he missed 10 of a possible 34 games and was stuck in lousy offenses with Davis Mills getting most of the QB snaps. Collins and Mills both were third-round picks in 2021, but while the latter looks to be out of a starting job on account of second overall pick C.J. Stroud, there's a decent chance Collins holds on to his spot near the top of the depth chart. The Texans signed Robert Woods and Noah Brown but traded Brandin Cooks, later drafting Nathaniel Dell in the third round and Xavier Hutchinson in the sixth. Dell is 5-8 and mostly figures to play the slot, and Collins would be the favorite in a job battle against Brown and/or Hutchinson. Collins ran a 4.43 40 at 6-4, 215, when he was coming out of Michigan in 2021, boosting his draft stack after he caught 76 passes for 1,361 yards and 13 TDs between his sophomore and junior seasons and opted out of his 2020 senior season.
More Fantasy News
Picks up 68 yards
Collins recorded five receptions on 10 targets for 68 yards in Saturday's 34-10 loss to the Ravens.
ANALYSIS
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Plays well in postseason debut
Collins recorded six catches on seven targets for 96 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's 45-14 win over the Browns.
ANALYSIS
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Torches Colts' secondary
Collins recorded nine catches on nine targets for 195 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's 23-19 win over the Colts.
ANALYSIS
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Makes seven catches
Collins recorded seven receptions on eight targets for 80 yards in Sunday's 26-3 win over the Titans. He added one rush for seven yards.
ANALYSIS
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Ready to face Titans
Collins (calf) doesn't carry an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Titans after practicing fully Thursday and Friday.
ANALYSIS
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