Texans WR1 who broke out as a Pro Bowler in 2023 and has held that level for three straight years.
Nico Collins was a third-round pick whose first two NFL seasons were quiet. Then C.J. Stroud arrived. Collins went from 481 receiving yards in 2022 to 1,297 in 2023 to 1,117 in 2025. He is now signed through 2028 as Houston's clear WR1 and one of the most efficient downfield receivers in the league.
Path to the league
Michigan receiver who opted out of the 2020 season. Texans took him 89th overall in 2021. Struggled to find consistent targets under three different starting quarterbacks before Stroud arrived in 2023.
Career highlights
2023 Pro Bowl. 2024 Pro Bowl. Texans single-season yards per reception record (18.6 in 2023). Highest yards-per-reception in the NFL among 100+ target players in 2023 and 2024.
2025 season recap
82 catches for 1,117 yards and 9 TDs. Texans went 10-7 and reached the Divisional Round. Collins missed two games with a soft-tissue injury but produced at a top-10 WR rate per game. Signed a three-year, $72 million extension before the season.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Nico Collins
- Pro Football Reference: Nico Collins
Statistics
2025 season and career2025 Season · Receiving
15 games played▶Receiving · career
| Year | Team | GP | REC | YDS | AVG | TD | LNG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | texans | 1 | 7 | 75 | 10.7 | 1 | 25 |
| 2025 | texans | 15 | 71 | 1,117 | 15.7 | 6 | 57 |
| 2024 | texans | 12 | 68 | 1,006 | 14.8 | 7 | 67 |
| 2023 | texans | 15 | 80 | 1,297 | 16.2 | 8 | 75 |
| 2022 | texans | 10 | 37 | 481 | 13.0 | 2 | 58 |
| 2021 | texans | 14 | 33 | 446 | 13.5 | 1 | 32 |
▶Rushing · career
| Year | Team | GP | CAR | YDS | AVG | TD | LNG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | texans | 1 | 1 | 7 | 7.0 | 0 | 7 |
| 2025 | texans | 15 | 2 | 15 | 7.5 | 1 | 8 |
| 2023 | texans | 15 | 1 | 7 | 7.0 | 0 | 7 |
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Wide Receiver
- Group
- offense
- College
- Michigan
- Hometown
- Birmingham, AL, USA
- Age
- 27
- Status
- active
Latest news about Nico Collins
All news →Bengals Beat Texans 20-6 in Week 2
Cincinnati Bengals 20, Houston Texans 6 at Reliant Stadium. Joe Burrow went 20 of 31 for 207 yards with 2 touchdowns.
Texans Rule Out Nico Collins Against Bengals With Hamstring Injury
Collins was hurt late in Wednesday's practice and did not work Thursday or Friday. Doctors don't consider it serious. Right guard Ed Ingram is also out, and Joe Burrow is expected to start for Cincinnati despite a questionable tag.
Joe Burrow Calls It 'Ridiculous' That a Tight Back Would Keep Him Out at Houston
Update: Burrow is officially questionable with back soreness but is expected to start Sunday at Houston, which will be without Nico Collins.
Bills Beat Texans 36-31 in Week 1
Buffalo Bills 36, Houston Texans 31 at Reliant Stadium. Josh Allen went 20 of 29 for 334 yards with 2 touchdowns.
Following the guaranteed money: how this offseason reset the market at receiver, edge, and safety
Guaranteed money, not average per year, is the number that actually matters in NFL contracts. This spring's deals moved the bar at several positions, and we covered most of them as they landed.
Texans gave Nico Collins $17 million more over two years after GM said trade rumors could 'shove it'
Collins was the 18th-highest-paid receiver despite ranking 4th in yards per game since 2024. The restructured deal fixes that: he's now fifth at the position and fully guaranteed through 2027.
