When you talk about Houston Texans wide receivers, one name is about to change the conversation: Nico Collins. This dude isn’t just good, he’s on a trajectory to completely rewrite the record books. If Collins had the same number of catches DeAndre Hopkins made for the Texans, Nico’s total receiving yards would explode from 4,347 to a mind-boggling 9,480. That’s 878 more yards than D-Hop ever got, and way more than most NFL receivers rack up in an entire *season*. Seriously, think about that.
The Numbers Don’t Lie: Collins Is Better Than You Think
Forget names like Corey Bradford, Will Fuller V, Kevin Walter, and even Andre Johnson. Nico Collins is already sitting at third all-time in Texans receiving yards with 4,347 as the 2026 season kicks off. Yeah, DeAndre Hopkins is at second with 8,602 yards. But hold up, the real story isn’t just about total yardage. Collins’ 15.0 yards per catch absolutely crushes D-Hop’s 13.7. That means Nico is doing more, creating bigger plays, with every ball thrown his way. If Collins got the 632 catches Hopkins had as a Texan, his yardage total doesn’t just pass Nuk, it blows past him by 878 yards, hitting that insane 9,480 mark. That’s elite production, proving he’s a true WR1.
Top 3, No Arguments: The Demeco Ryans Era’s Quiet Superstar
Even PFF, who sometimes throws out takes that make you side-eye them on Stroud’s low ranking or Montgomery’s rear-of-pack status, is absolutely hyped on Nico Collins. This isn’t just fan theory, this is hard data. After a couple of ‘pedestrian’ early seasons, Collins has gone supernova over the last three years. Since 2023, he’s racked up an incredible 3,420 receiving yards, good for ninth in the entire league. Even crazier, his 2.75 yards per route run is second in the NFL, behind only Puka Nacua. And his 93.0 PFF receiving grade since 2023? That’s locked in at third in the NFL, right behind Nacua and Amon-Ra St. Brown. You cannot argue with that: in the Demeco Ryans era, Collins is a Top 3 receiver, period. Just like Andre Johnson, this guy puts his head down and works, quietly getting the job done. No off-field drama, just pure football: catching passes, gaining yards, scoring touchdowns. When the NFL Channel drops their Top 100, Collins lands at a shocking #58. Stroud says he’s ‘top 5,’ and Stingley Jr. calls him ‘top 3 in the league right now.’ That’s not just respect, that’s a definitive statement about his impact.
So, what does this all mean for the Texans’ upcoming season? If Houston can get that offensive line dialed in and the run game really cooking, taking some pressure off Stroud, Collins’ already incredible numbers could climb even higher. He’s already shown he can dominate quietly, becoming one of the NFL’s premier pass catchers. With his current trajectory, the question isn’t *if* he’ll keep climbing those all-time lists, but *how fast*. Keep your eyes on Nico Collins, because he is just getting started, and the entire league is only beginning to truly notice.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Battle Red Blog.
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