Nico Collins has been a bright spot for the Houston Texans amid the ups and downs of the first four games.
On Sunday, he had a career-best 12 catches for 151 yards and a touchdown, helping the Texans (3-1) come back to win 24-20 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Collins leads the NFL with 489 receiving yards, making him the first player in the team’s history to surpass 450 yards in the first four games. New York Giants rookie Malik Nabers was in second place with 386 yards before Monday night’s games.
Sunday marked Collins’ eighth career game with over 100 yards and his third this season.
This strong start comes after a breakout year in 2023 when Collins had a career-high 1,297 receiving yards.
Following his impressive performance, quarterback C.J. Stroud remembered their first workout together after he was drafted by the Texans last year.
“I told him: ‘You’re a superstar, and I’m going to make sure people know that,’” Stroud said. “I feel like ever since then, he’s had a swagger and a confidence … and it’s just rolling now. He’s been big for us. He’s always somebody that I lean on.”
Despite the significant offseason trade for four-time Pro Bowl receiver Stefon Diggs, Collins has remained Stroud’s top choice this season.
Coach DeMeco Ryans had high praise for Collins’ performance.
“He’s deserving of all the praise and all the credit that he’s getting,” Ryans said. “He’s one of the top receivers in the league, and he’s showing it. He doesn’t have to talk it; he’s showing it by what he does on a game-to-game basis. He’s proving that he’s one of the best.”
