The Houston Texans are officially in offseason mode and we are still weeks away from free agency and the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
Over the next few weeks, Texans Wire will break down each player on the roster who saw action in the 2024 season and their potential moving forward.
We will recap their 2024 season, their contract status, and what their status is for the coming offseason and 2025 season.
Let’s move over to the wide receivers, starting with Pro Bowler Nico Collins
2024 Nico Collins Season
Everyone knew Collins needed to get paid ahead of training camp to avoid the franchise tag, but after the Texans restructured Stefon Diggs’ three-year salary following a trade from Buffalo, the money saved was used to lock up Collins for the long term.
After agreeing to a three-year, $72.5 million extension, Collins was on a course to set franchise records in 2024. Over the first five games, he led the NFL in nearly every receiving category,m including receiving yards with 567.
But after pulling up while hauling in a touchdown pass from C.J. Stroud in Week 5’s win over the Buffalo Bills, Collins’ season was in jeopardy. He missed five games on the injured reserve while dealing with a lingering hamstring issue. In the process, Houston lost four of its next five, including a blown 15-point lead over the Detroit Lions in Week 10.
Once Collins returned, his production plateaued, but he still managed to lead Houston in every receiving category and another division title.
In the postseason, the 6-foot-4 vertical threat proved once more was a viable top target after hauling in seven passes for 122 yards and a touchdown. Against the Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional round, Collins posted a team-leading 81 yards on five catches.
2024 Nico Collins stats
Collins posted his second straight 1,000-yard receiving season in just 11 games. He totaled 68 receptions on 99 targets for 1,006 yards and seven touchdowns receptions.
Collins averaged 14.7 yards per catch and finished with five 100-yard outings, including the wild-card round victory against the Chargers.
2025 contract status
After inking the three-year extension ahead of the final year of his rookie contract, the Texans have their top target through 2027. Collins will earn $13.5 million in base salary, with a $4.25 million bonus that will kick in on March 7.
He has an $18.4 million cap hit in 2025.
Outlook for 2025
After proving his 2023 season wasn’t a fluke, Collins should remain the go-to weapon for C.J. Stroud amid a run to the postseason in 2025 and beyond. Last season showed that the former third-round pick is likely the second-best player drafted by Nick Caserio since 2021.
He earned his first Pro Bowl honor in 2024 as a full-time force on the outside. Next year, Collins plans on competing for All-Pro status along with standout defensive back Derek Stingley Jr., defensive end Will Anderson Jr. and others.