As one of the most exciting, up-and-coming teams in the NFL, the Houston Texans (8-5) are staring at their second straight playoff berth under Coach DeMeco Ryans. Thanks to 2023 Rookie of the Year, CJ Stroud, they have become an explosive, ‘must-watch’ offensive attack. And the biggest jet in that squadron in 2024 has been Nico Collins, who should easily pass the 1,000-yard receiving mark and has become one of Stroud’s favorite targets.
The former 2021 third-round pick has emerged as a bona fide playmaker and scoring threat. So much so, that Coach Ryans compared him to one of the greatest Texans players of all time.
Nico Collins Compared to a Texans Great
When discussing Collins this week, Ryans made comparisons between his star pass catcher and NFL Hall of Famer, Andre Johnson. Johnson played for Houston from 2003 to 2014 and was a seven-time Pro Bowler. He is generally regarded as one of the best players in the franchise’s history.
“The one thing that makes Nico special, I would say, just character-wise, [is that] he’s humble,” Ryans said. “He’s about the team’; he’s not a ‘give me the ball’ guy. He’s humble and his approach daily, he’s a hard worker – I have to give you more than one, but humble is the one that sticks out the most to me. Everybody understands – hard worker, has speed, athleticism, all those traits.”
“But the one thing that sets Nico apart, for me, just being around the game for a while now, just seeing how humble he is. He really reminds me of another humble guy who was around here for a while, and that’s Andre Johnson.”
Through 13 games, Collins has 49 catches for 832 yards and four touchdowns. This comes after his breakout 2023 campaign where he posted 80 catches for 1,297 yards and eight touchdowns. This season, he’s also helped fill the gap that was created when fellow wideout Stefon Diggs was ruled out for the remainder of the season with an ACL injury.
Andre Johnson’s Hall of Fame Resume
It’s certainly high praise for any young player to draw comparisons to Johnson, now 43. He had an outstanding collegiate career where he helped the Hurricanes to a National Championship in 2001. Later, he was drafted by the Texans in the first round (third overall) in the 2003 NFL Draft. Johnson would go on to set franchise records in every major receiving category. He is Houston’s career leader in receptions (1,102), receiving yards (13,597) and touchdowns (64).
Johnson would receive his bust at Canton in 2024, becoming the first player drafted by the Texans to be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He was noted for not only being a great player but also a humanitarian. During his career with the Texans, he made many charitable contributions to the Houston community. Collins has a lot of football left, but drawing this comparison this early in his career is a sign of good things to come for him.
Main Photo Courtesy of Jeremy Reper – Imagn Images
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