- Nico Collins is among the league’s top wide receivers: Collins has posted a 93.2 receiving grade over the last two seasons combined, which ranks first among all wide receivers.
- His injuries have held him back: Collins has missed time each season. Playing a few partial games in 2024 has notably hurt his 2024 per-game statistics.
- Subscribe to PFF+: Get access to player grades, PFF Premium Stats, fantasy football rankings, all of the PFF fantasy draft research tools and more!
Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes
PFF’s Fantasy Football Player Profile series delivers the most in-depth fantasy football analysis available for the 2025 season.
Using PFF’s exclusive data, we evaluate player performance, competition for touches and how teammates and coaching staffs will impact each player’s fantasy football outlook.
Last updated: 7:15 a.m. Wednesday, May 7
Click here for more draft tools:
NFL Draft Big Board | Mock Draft Simulator | NCAA Premium Stats
2025 PFF Draft Guide | Mock Draft Hub | Prospect Data Profiles
Draft Position Rankings
Player performance
Collins was a third-round pick by the Texans in 2021 and immediately started playing a minimum of 55% of the Texans’ offensive snaps. In 2022, he was in a rotation with Brandin Cooks, Chris Moore and Phillip Dorsett. In 2023, Houston moved on from all three other receivers and added C.J. Stroud at quarterback. This was enough for Collins to completely break out.
His target rate only increased slightly, but his catch rate increased from 57.8% to 73.4%, thanks to higher quality passes. His average depth of target decreased slightly, but he became much more elusive, leading to an elite avoided tackle rate. This led to more yards after the catch, ultimately leading to more yards per reception. In 2024, Collins didn’t make quite as many big plays but was more consistently receiving positive grades when targeted, and he was targeted even more often.
Collins has 0.612 fantasy points per route run in PPR leagues, which is the best for wide receivers over the past two seasons. This includes the most yards per route run at 3.0 and the second-most touchdowns per route at 0.02. When he can get open, there has been no receiver better in recent seasons. However, he’s not able to get open as often as other receivers, and he’s not as successful as plenty of other receivers when he’s not open.
The main problem is that Collins runs fewer routes than other receivers, so he’s only finished seventh and eighth in fantasy points per game over the last two seasons. Collins has also missed at least two games in every season and averaged over four games per season. This has led him to finish even lower in total fantasy points each season. However, it’s worth noting Collins’ per-game numbers from 2024 are deceiving because of games where his time was limited. He played nine snaps in Week 5 prior to injury, 30 snaps in Week 11 returning from injury and 11 snaps in Week 18 with a playoff spot clinched. He was often playing over 80% of the snaps for the rest of the season. He averaged 18.9 fantasy points per game, removing those three games, which would have ranked third last year. He also averaged 19.1 points per game in the NFL playoffs.
Projected role
Collins has been the Texans’ X receiver throughout his time with the team. Tank Dell was the primary Z receiver, and Stefon Diggs was the slot receiver last season. Diggs moved on to the New England Patriots, while Dell will likely miss the entire season due to injury. The Texans have added several receivers to try upgrading from incumbents John Metchie III and Xavier Hutchinson. This includes trading for Christian Kirk, adding Justin Watson and Braxton Berrios, and drafting Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel on the second day of the NFL draft. At least two of those players won’t make the Week 1 roster.
None of those players should limit Collins’ target rate. If anything, losing Dell and Diggs could lead to an increase in target share. Outside of Collins, passes should be relatively evenly distributed between the other players. The one concern is second-round rookie Higgins. He is also an X receiver, who many compared to Collins. Higgins could line up across from Collins on the outside, could be an insurance policy for when Collins is injured, but could also take some snaps away from Collins.
Impact of teammates
The Texans swapped out offensive coordinators, bringing in Nick Caley, but Ben McDaniels remained the wide receiver coach and passing game coordinator, a job he’s held since 2022. Caley has never been the lead offensive coach for a team, so we haven’t seen exactly what his vision looks like, but his past teams have relied heavily on three-receiver sets.
The big question is how much playing time Collins will get in Caley’s offense. It’s possible his limited playing time in the past was a coach’s decision by previous coaches, but it’s also possible that the Texans know something about Collins, particularly with his injury history, and know they need to limit Collins’ snaps. Caley has been around wide receivers playing at least 85% of offensive snaps regularly before, so a notable increase in snaps for Collins is at least possible.
Collins will continue catching passes from C.J. Stroud, as he’s done the past two seasons. Stroud went through a little bit of a sophomore slump, particularly when Collins was injured. From Week 13 until the end of the playoffs, Stroud had the ninth-highest PFF passing grade. Multiple other wide receivers who are expected to get drafted in the first round of fantasy drafts have quarterbacks in their 30s. Collins is one of the few first-round wide receivers for whom it’s realistic to expect an improvement from their quarterback.
Bottom line
Collins is a very talented wide receiver with a history of top-10 success. There is reason to believe he can improve with more playing time or an improvement from C.J. Stroud. The main concern is his injury history, where he’s missed time each season.
Footnotes
- Statistics in tables and charts were chosen based on their ability to predict future fantasy performance on a per-game or per-opportunity basis or to describe the player relative to others at the same position.
- “Opportunities” are defined as passing dropbacks, rushing attempts and routes run as a receiver.
- Numbers are provided either by season or based on the past three years. For rookies, only college statistics are included. For non-rookies, only NFL statistics are considered, regardless of whether they played in college within the previous three years.
- As college competition is easier than NFL competition, most rookies are likely to see a decline from their historical numbers.
- Only FBS data is considered for college players and comparisons.
- Kneel-downs are removed from rushing data to provide cleaner quarterback rushing rate statistics.
- The table colors in this article range from blue (indicating good/high) to red (indicating bad/low).
- All percentiles and color codings compare the given player to others with a high sample of opportunities. Generally, the cutoff is one-third of the possible opportunities in the sample. If a player does not meet the threshold, they are still included in the comparison, though their results may appear better or worse than expected due to the smaller, less predictive sample size.
- Information on utilization classifications and their importance can be found here for running backs, wide receivers and tight ends.
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
Le Mans Salačovi sedí. Ve Francii zajel nejlepší výsledek sezony
Český pilot měl vynikající start do závodu, po němž se prokousal ze sedmého místa na roštu na čtvrtou pozici, kde se držel za stájovým kolegou Jakem Dixonem. Postupně se ale před třiadvacetiletého českého pilota dostali Baltus s Canetem a ve druhé polovině závodu i Arenas. Z triumfu se radoval už potřetí v šestém závodě sezony vítěz sobotní kvalifikace Manuel González, jenž si upevnil vedení v průběžné klasifikaci, kde má šestnáctibodový náskok.Druhé místo z předcházejícího podniku v Jerezu obhájil Belgičan Barry Baltus, jemuž sice nevyšel start, prokousal se ale až za vedoucího Gonzáleze. Tomu dýchal na záda, předjet ho však nedokázal. Na stupních vítězů stanul taky Canet. Ve třídě Moto3, které se jelo po ranním dešti zprvu na mokré dráze, sice do cíle dojel jako první Španěl David Muňoz. Za svůj předjížděcí manévr v posledním kole ovšem dostal penalizaci, z triumfu se tak radoval jeho krajan José Antonio Rueda, který […]
Le Mans Salačovi sedí. Ve Francii zajel nejlepší výsledek sezony
Český pilot měl vynikající start do závodu, po němž se prokousal ze sedmého místa na roštu na čtvrtou pozici, kde se držel za stájovým kolegou Jakem Dixonem. Postupně se ale před třiadvacetiletého českého pilota dostali Baltus s Canetem a ve druhé polovině závodu i Arenas. Z triumfu se radoval už potřetí v šestém závodě sezony vítěz sobotní kvalifikace Manuel González, jenž si upevnil vedení v průběžné klasifikaci, kde má šestnáctibodový náskok.Druhé místo z předcházejícího podniku v Jerezu obhájil Belgičan Barry Baltus, jemuž sice nevyšel start, prokousal se ale až za vedoucího Gonzáleze. Tomu dýchal na záda, předjet ho však nedokázal. Na stupních vítězů stanul taky Canet. Ve třídě Moto3, které se jelo po ranním dešti zprvu na mokré dráze, sice do cíle dojel jako první Španěl David Muňoz. Za svůj předjížděcí manévr v posledním kole ovšem dostal penalizaci, z triumfu se tak radoval jeho krajan José Antonio Rueda, který […]
Latest sign of U.S.-Canada tensions: fewer Blue Jays fans make annual trek to Seattle
SEATTLE — Michele Dyck and her son, Ryan, made the 90-minute drive down from Langley, B.C. to Seattle. With the exception of the pandemic, it’s a pilgrimage they’ve made every year since 2018, alongside thousands of Canadians living on the West Coast who flood T-Mobile Park to see the Toronto Blue Jays as an annual tradition.AdvertisementMost years, that influx of Jays fans meant waiting at the border for up to four hours. But this isn’t most years, as evidenced by tariffs, trade wars and 51st-state talk. So when Michele and Ryan flashed their Nexus cards from their car and coasted into Washington state on the way to Friday’s game, the process took just 15 minutes.“We don’t know anybody that’s really come down that usually comes,” Michele said. “Because they don’t want to come for four years.”With tensions heightened between the […]
Steph Curry is inching closer, but the clock is ticking on the Warriors’ season
SAN FRANCISCO — About 90 minutes prior to tip on Saturday night, Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry went through a pretty strenuous workout on the team’s practice court in the dungeons of Chase Center. It is the clearest initial step in what Curry hopes to be an expedited return from the hamstring strain that has come to define this second round series against the Minnesota Timberwolves.AdvertisementCurry didn’t push it to full speed, according to a team source. He’s yet to burst or cut or test that left hamstring in a manner that’ll deliver him and Rick Celebrini — the team’s lead medical decision maker — the true information they’ll need on whether the hamstring is healed enough to return deeper in this series. But he went through a medium-speed shooting routine and rode the stationary bike. This was a […]
Inter Miami sofre maior goleada com Messi em campo e agrava crise perto do Mundial de Clubes
O Inter Miami agravou a crise que enfrenta com uma goleada por 4 a 1 sofrida para o Minnesota United neste sábado, marcando a maior goleada sofrida pelo time com Lionel Messi na MLS. O craque argentino marcou o único gol do Inter Miami aos 48 minutos no Allianz Field (em Saint Paul, Minnesota), finalizando uma assistência do espanhol Jordi Alba na área. Mercado: Xabi Alonso será o substituto de Ancelotti no comando do Real Madrid, diz jornalLeia também: comemorações pela classificação do PSG terminam com 44 detidos e três feridos em Paris O gol de Messi, que não contou com o companheiro Luis Suárez, fez o placar temporariamente 2 a 1, mas as inúmeras brechas defensivas do Inter acabaram custando a quarta derrota nas últimas cinco partidas. "É uma derrota dura para nós", reconheceu o técnico argentino Javier Mascherano. […]
Bayern-Star kam nur von der Bank – Matthäus äußert brisanten Sané-Verdacht
Die Bayern feiern im letzten Heimspiel der Saison einen 2:0-Sieg gegen Gladbach – und danach die Meisterschaft und den Abschied von Klub-Legende Thomas Müller (35).Wer aber erst einmal auf der Ersatzbank Platz nehmen musste: Leroy Sané.Der Offensiv-Star wurde von Bayern-Trainer Vincent Kompany nicht für die Startelf gegen Gladbach nominiert, wurde nur eingewechselt.Matthäus äußert brisanten Sané-VerdachtLothar Matthäus äußert einen brisanten Verdacht über den Bank-Platz von Sané. „Wer da nichts Böses ahnt ...“, sagte der ehemalige Weltstar bei Sky, wo er als TV-Experte bei den Top-Spielen der Bundesliga zum Einsatz kommt. „Ich kenne die Diskussionen der letzten Tage mit dem Beraterwechsel. Ich glaube, das ist eine kleine Retourkutsche des Vereins. Zu zeigen: mit uns nicht“, fügte Matthäus an.Lesen Sie auch<!-->[-->Hintergrund: Die Bayern und Sané pokern schon länger um eine vorzeitige Verlängerung. Die Münchner wollen den Offensiv-Star unbedingt halten. Eigentlich waren sich beide […]
Related
Le Mans Salačovi sedí. Ve Francii zajel nejlepší výsledek sezony
Český pilot měl vynikající start do závodu, po němž se prokousal ze sedmého místa na roštu na čtvrtou pozici, kde se držel za stájovým kolegou Jakem Dixonem. Postupně se ale před třiadvacetiletého českého pilota dostali Baltus s Canetem a ve druhé polovině závodu i Arenas. Z triumfu se radoval už potřetí v šestém závodě sezony vítěz sobotní kvalifikace Manuel González, jenž si upevnil vedení v průběžné klasifikaci, kde má šestnáctibodový náskok.Druhé místo z předcházejícího podniku v Jerezu obhájil Belgičan Barry Baltus, jemuž sice nevyšel start, prokousal se ale až za vedoucího Gonzáleze. Tomu dýchal na záda, předjet ho však nedokázal. Na stupních vítězů stanul taky Canet. Ve třídě Moto3, které se jelo po ranním dešti zprvu na mokré dráze, sice do cíle dojel jako první Španěl David Muňoz. Za svůj předjížděcí manévr v posledním kole ovšem dostal penalizaci, z triumfu se tak radoval jeho krajan José Antonio Rueda, který […]
Le Mans Salačovi sedí. Ve Francii zajel nejlepší výsledek sezony
Český pilot měl vynikající start do závodu, po němž se prokousal ze sedmého místa na roštu na čtvrtou pozici, kde se držel za stájovým kolegou Jakem Dixonem. Postupně se ale před třiadvacetiletého českého pilota dostali Baltus s Canetem a ve druhé polovině závodu i Arenas. Z triumfu se radoval už potřetí v šestém závodě sezony vítěz sobotní kvalifikace Manuel González, jenž si upevnil vedení v průběžné klasifikaci, kde má šestnáctibodový náskok.Druhé místo z předcházejícího podniku v Jerezu obhájil Belgičan Barry Baltus, jemuž sice nevyšel start, prokousal se ale až za vedoucího Gonzáleze. Tomu dýchal na záda, předjet ho však nedokázal. Na stupních vítězů stanul taky Canet. Ve třídě Moto3, které se jelo po ranním dešti zprvu na mokré dráze, sice do cíle dojel jako první Španěl David Muňoz. Za svůj předjížděcí manévr v posledním kole ovšem dostal penalizaci, z triumfu se tak radoval jeho krajan José Antonio Rueda, který […]
Latest sign of U.S.-Canada tensions: fewer Blue Jays fans make annual trek to Seattle
SEATTLE — Michele Dyck and her son, Ryan, made the 90-minute drive down from Langley, B.C. to Seattle. With the exception of the pandemic, it’s a pilgrimage they’ve made every year since 2018, alongside thousands of Canadians living on the West Coast who flood T-Mobile Park to see the Toronto Blue Jays as an annual tradition.AdvertisementMost years, that influx of Jays fans meant waiting at the border for up to four hours. But this isn’t most years, as evidenced by tariffs, trade wars and 51st-state talk. So when Michele and Ryan flashed their Nexus cards from their car and coasted into Washington state on the way to Friday’s game, the process took just 15 minutes.“We don’t know anybody that’s really come down that usually comes,” Michele said. “Because they don’t want to come for four years.”With tensions heightened between the […]
Steph Curry is inching closer, but the clock is ticking on the Warriors’ season
SAN FRANCISCO — About 90 minutes prior to tip on Saturday night, Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry went through a pretty strenuous workout on the team’s practice court in the dungeons of Chase Center. It is the clearest initial step in what Curry hopes to be an expedited return from the hamstring strain that has come to define this second round series against the Minnesota Timberwolves.AdvertisementCurry didn’t push it to full speed, according to a team source. He’s yet to burst or cut or test that left hamstring in a manner that’ll deliver him and Rick Celebrini — the team’s lead medical decision maker — the true information they’ll need on whether the hamstring is healed enough to return deeper in this series. But he went through a medium-speed shooting routine and rode the stationary bike. This was a […]
Inter Miami sofre maior goleada com Messi em campo e agrava crise perto do Mundial de Clubes
O Inter Miami agravou a crise que enfrenta com uma goleada por 4 a 1 sofrida para o Minnesota United neste sábado, marcando a maior goleada sofrida pelo time com Lionel Messi na MLS. O craque argentino marcou o único gol do Inter Miami aos 48 minutos no Allianz Field (em Saint Paul, Minnesota), finalizando uma assistência do espanhol Jordi Alba na área. Mercado: Xabi Alonso será o substituto de Ancelotti no comando do Real Madrid, diz jornalLeia também: comemorações pela classificação do PSG terminam com 44 detidos e três feridos em Paris O gol de Messi, que não contou com o companheiro Luis Suárez, fez o placar temporariamente 2 a 1, mas as inúmeras brechas defensivas do Inter acabaram custando a quarta derrota nas últimas cinco partidas. "É uma derrota dura para nós", reconheceu o técnico argentino Javier Mascherano. […]
Bayern-Star kam nur von der Bank – Matthäus äußert brisanten Sané-Verdacht
Die Bayern feiern im letzten Heimspiel der Saison einen 2:0-Sieg gegen Gladbach – und danach die Meisterschaft und den Abschied von Klub-Legende Thomas Müller (35).Wer aber erst einmal auf der Ersatzbank Platz nehmen musste: Leroy Sané.Der Offensiv-Star wurde von Bayern-Trainer Vincent Kompany nicht für die Startelf gegen Gladbach nominiert, wurde nur eingewechselt.Matthäus äußert brisanten Sané-VerdachtLothar Matthäus äußert einen brisanten Verdacht über den Bank-Platz von Sané. „Wer da nichts Böses ahnt ...“, sagte der ehemalige Weltstar bei Sky, wo er als TV-Experte bei den Top-Spielen der Bundesliga zum Einsatz kommt. „Ich kenne die Diskussionen der letzten Tage mit dem Beraterwechsel. Ich glaube, das ist eine kleine Retourkutsche des Vereins. Zu zeigen: mit uns nicht“, fügte Matthäus an.Lesen Sie auch<!-->[-->Hintergrund: Die Bayern und Sané pokern schon länger um eine vorzeitige Verlängerung. Die Münchner wollen den Offensiv-Star unbedingt halten. Eigentlich waren sich beide […]
Be the first to leave a comment