Nico Collins looked every bit the part of a No.1 NFL receiver last season, which turned out to be a breakthrough campaign for himself and the Texans.
The Texans, understanding the trajectory of where Collins might be headed going into the fourth and final year of his rookie contract, worked diligently on a new contract, and this week, the two sides agreed on a three-year, $72.5 million extension that has a maximum value of $75 million.
The 25-year-old receiver’s new contract comes with $52 million guaranteed and an annual salary of $24.2 million, making Collins one of the top 10 highest-paid wide receivers in the league this upcoming season. It’s the first major internal contract extension under Texans general manager Nick Caserio.
While this may seem like a lot for a receiver, it seems like the going rate in the offseason of wide receivers getting paid. DeVonta Smith, Michael Pittman Jr., Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Rashod Bateman have all been rewarded with their second contracts this season. Veterans Mike Evans and A.J. Brown also received extensions from Tampa Bay and Philadelphia, respectively.
Collins’ Breakout Campaign
Collins was certainly in line after his breakout campaign in 2023 when he and rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud connected for 80 receptions for 1,297 yards and eight touchdowns – all career highs — in a banner campaign for the previously struggling franchise. He also had 11 catches for 164 yards and a touchdown in two playoff games this past season.
With the belief that Collins is only about to get better, it was wise for the Texans to get a deal done this offseason rather than risk allowing the 2021 third-round pick out Michigan to hit the open market next offseason.
Collins didn’t seem overly concerned with when the new deal would come, knowing that it would be worked out one way or the other. His biggest concern was his growth.
“I feel like this year is going to be a little bit of a better year. Just mentally and physically, I know what to expect,” Collins said in an interview with Fubo Sports earlier this year. “I feel like I’m learning and getting better and growing. I’m just learning the game better.
“But if [the contract extension] comes early then it comes early. But I feel like my mindset is to just go ball and let it play out how it plays out. I’m not chasing [the contract].”
Collins has totaled 150 catches for 2,224 yards and 11 touchdowns in his first three seasons as a pro.
Top Flight Receiving Corp
Now with Collins locked up, the Texans seem poised to have one of the best receiving corps for the next few years after the blockbuster trade for All-Pro receiver Stephon Diggs and with the continued development of second-year receiver Tank Dell.
“We want to put defenses in binds, and I think with those three guys it allows us to do that because they are so different, and they can all do different things,” second-year Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said prior to Collins’ announced contract extension. “But at the end of the day, they are all explosive finishers with the football and that is what makes those guys great players. They can win on third down and they can finish and get in the end zone and that’s what we look for at all skills positions on offense.
“So, having three receivers there, it definitely opens up the playbook for us and it puts a lot of stress on the defense.”
