Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins finished his team's Divisional Round playoff defeat at Kansas City with five catches on eight targets for 81 yards, a decent day considering Houston's considerable challenges in the passing game. The Texans surrendered eight sacks and only completed 19 passes as quarterback C.J. Stroud spent most of the afternoon under siege. The 25-year-old receiver further cemented his status as a No. 1 option in 2024, but by the end of the season, didn't have much support with compatriots Tank Dell (knee) and Stefon Diggs (knee) out for the year. He figures to be part of the long-term plan for Houston, which ends the season in the Divisional Round for the second straight year.
Jan 18, 2025 7:53 PM EST
Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins continues to be a top-flight option with the underdog Texans set to travel to Kansas City in the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs on Saturday. Kansas City has been excellent at creating pressure and stopping the run, but was a middling 17th against PPR receivers. In the first meeting between these two teams last month, Houston threw the ball 39 times and targeted their top receiver on 10 of them, completing seven for 60 yards. Without compatriot Tank Dell (knee) for the rest of the season, Collins has very little competition for targets within Houston's passing game. Against a stingy Chiefs defense, the Texans likely will need to rely upon big plays through the air like they did last week, which is good news for Collins and managers who roster him in playoff or DFS formats.
Jan 16, 2025 6:50 PM EST
Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins put together a massive performance on Saturday in a Wild Card win against the Los Angeles Chargers, catching seven of his eight targets for 122 yards and a touchdown. The Texans overcame some early sloppiness to secure their second postseason victory in as many seasons, with the star receiver leading his team in all relevant receiving categories. The Michigan product scored the game's first touchdown, hauling in a 13-yard touchdown from quarterback C.J. Stroud, and Houston never trailed again. The victory secured Houston's place in the Divisional Round, where Collins and the Texans will take on an opponent to be determined Sunday.
Jan 11, 2025 8:02 PM EST
The good news for Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins is that he has an almost unmatched target share with his team set to take on the Los Angeles Chargers in a Wild Card playoff game on Saturday. The bad news is that Houston's offense has been consistently below average for more than a month, averaging just 15.6 points in its past five games. Further, the Chargers rank third against PPR wide receivers and have held opposing offenses to the fourth-lowest scoring percentage in the NFL. While the matchup isn't ideal, the Michigan Man still hit 1,000 receiving yards despite missing five games and most of another, putting him in rare territory. Though Vegas is predicting a low-scoring game, Collins still can be considered a mid-tier WR1 for managers in playoff formats.
Jan 9, 2025 8:50 PM EST
Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins found the end zone for the seventh time this season and caught all five of his targets for 38 yards on Sunday in a win at Tennessee. The star receiver caught a two-yard touchdown from quarterback C.J. Stroud, who was pulled from the game midway through the first quarter with Houston already confirmed as the No. 4 seed in the AFC playoffs. Collins, who missed five full games and most of another with a hamstring injury earlier in the season, finished just 32 yards short of 1,000 for the year. He and the Texans now will look toward a run in the postseason with a Wild Card game next week.
Jan 5, 2025 4:05 PM EST
Wide receiver Nico Collins of the Houston Texans is slated to remain his team's top target in Week 18 against the Tennessee Titans, but he comes with an asterisk. Tennessee is a top-five defense against fantasy receivers, though the Michigan product logged 92 receiving yards and a touchdown in the first meeting. The elephant in the room is how long Houston will play its starters. The Texans have committed to playing their regulars, but they're already locked into the No. 4 seed in the AFC playoffs and have nothing to gain by beating Tennessee. Houston head coach DeMeco Ryans surely will be looking ahead to Wild Card Weekend at some point, which DFS players have to consider when evaluating Collins' Week 18 value.
Jan 3, 2025 3:51 PM EST
Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins caught three of his six targets for 59 yards on Wednesday in a 31-2 blowout loss against the Baltimore. The Texans' offense had a brutal showing in which quarterback C.J. Stroud was off target, the offensive line surrendered five sacks, and the Texans gained only one rushing first down. As a result of the Houston offense failing to score, the Michigan product also had his lowest-scoring fantasy output of the season for a game in which he appeared. Fantasy managers will rightly be disappointed Houston's passing game managed so little against a Ravens secondary that has struggled against top-tier receivers this season. Collins and the Texans will look for improvement on Jan. 5 at Tennessee.
Dec 25, 2024 8:01 PM EST
Already his team's best wide receiver, Nico Collins of the Houston Texans could be due an even bigger target share on Christmas Day against the Baltimore Ravens. The fourth-year veteran is the lone healthy member of Houston's talented receiver trio now that Stefon Diggs (knee) and Tank Dell (knee) are both out for the year. Additionally, he'll take on a Baltimore defense that has allowed a ton of points to fantasy wide receivers, ranking 30th against the position. Although Houston added another receiver to the fold in Dionate Johnson and has struggled at times this season as an offense, Collins has been regularly productive and should be considered a WR1 again in this matchup.
Dec 23, 2024 7:04 PM EST
Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins had a solid but not overwhelming performance at Kansas City, finishing the day with seven catches for 60 yards and no touchdowns in the 27-19 defeat. Houston's top receiver led the team with 10 targets, though Kansas City ultimately was able to limit his damage. Perhaps most important for fantasy managers who advance in the fantasy playoffs this week, fellow Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) had to be carted off with what appeared to be a serious injury. If Dell is indeed out, Collins could command a massive target share with Houston due to take on a struggling Baltimore Ravens pass defense on Christmas Day.
Dec 21, 2024 4:21 PM EST
The Houston Texans' offense has been a bit of a letdown this season, but wide receiver Nico Collins has been every bit as good as advertised, maintaining his WR1 status against Kansas City in Week 16. The Michigan Man has played at least 70% of Houston's snaps in seven games and finished in the top 15 among receivers in five of them. Even when things have gone awry, he has produced, as evidenced by last week's game in which he had a season-low 17 yards, but still scored two touchdowns. This week, he'll take on a Kansas City defense that blitzes the second-most of any team, but ranks 12th against fantasy receivers. Managers should feel confident knowing that Collins has delivered in challenging settings before and can do it again.
Dec 19, 2024 7:16 PM EST
Wide receiver Nico Collins of the Houston Texans had his lowest receiving output of the season Sunday against the Miami Dolphins but still caught two passes for touchdowns in his team's 20-13 win. The Texans' No. 1 receiver managed just four catches on six targets for a meager 17 yards but snagged two six-yard touchdowns to end up with a decent fantasy day despite the low totals. The Dolphins have been especially tough on wide receivers this year, though Collins scratched out some value from a game in which his team managed only 181 total yards. He'll face a marquee opponent next week when Houston takes on Kansas City in a Saturday matchup.
Dec 15, 2024 4:16 PM EST
The Miami Dolphins have been one of the best defenses in the NFL against wide receivers, but Nico Collins of Houston Texans remains a must-start option in Week 15. Since returning from injured reserve, the fourth-year receiver is averaging nine targets and 88 receiving yards, putting him in elite fantasy territory. The Dolphins allow the lowest average depth of target in the league and rank second against fantasy receivers, but Collins has played more than half of Houston's snaps six times this season and finished in the top-15 in five of those games. He's one of the few matchup-proof options, and until he proves otherwise, he should be started in any format this week.
Dec 13, 2024 6:30 PM EST
Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins put up a big day with a great matchup, torching the Jacksonville Jaguars for eight catches and 119 yards in a 23-20 victory. The Michigan Man drew a team-best 11 targets and accumulated a productive fantasy day without finding the end zone. Collins has returned from injury and resumed being a YAC monster, posting a 17.6 yards per catch mark during his past two games. He should be a fantasy playoffs factor once again when the Texans return from their Week 14 bye.
Dec 1, 2024 4:40 PM EST
Fantasy managers rostering Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins are dreaming of big-time points against a bad Jacksonville Jaguars defense in Week 13. The star receiver has a ready-made matchup against a defense that has allowed the second-most yards after the catch, fourth-most total yards, and third-most points against fantasy receivers. Houston has had pass protection issues, but Collins is still averaging 89 yards on nearly eight targets, and there's no reason to think Houston wants him to see less of the ball against one of the NFL's worst defenses. He should be a lineup lock this week.
Nov 29, 2024 10:17 PM EST
Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins looked like his pre-injury self on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans, hauling in five passes for 92 yards and a touchdown in a 32-27 loss. The big receiver scored on a five-yard connection with quarterback C.J. Stroud in the second quarter, his first since returning from injured reserve. Houston targeted the No. 1 receiver nine times, which led the team, but had an overall frustrating day on offense and compiled just 40 yards on the ground. Collins continues to be the top option for the passing game, however, and faces an excellent matchup in Week 13 against Jacksonville.
Nov 24, 2024 4:52 PM EST
Back in the lineup after a prolonged absence, Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins is once again a top fantasy option as his team takes on the Tennessee Titans in Week 12. The Michigan Man had only four catches last week against Dallas, but he also played only 47% of Houston's offensive snaps in the 34-10 win. The Titans, however, are a much tougher defensive matchup. Tennessee has given up the fewest air yards in the NFL so far this season and ranks second against fantasy wide receivers. Even so, Collins is among the elite tier of wide receivers who ought to be started even against top opponents, and this week is no exception.
Nov 22, 2024 6:15 PM EST
Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins is expected to have a bigger workload in Week 12 on Sunday against the division-rival Tennessee Titans in his second game back from a hamstring injury that kept him out for five games. Collins looked explosive on a long touchdown catch on the first play of the game in Monday's win over the Dallas Cowboys that was called back due to a penalty, but he ended up playing only 47% of the offensive snaps to finish with four catches for a season-low 54 yards. "I'm feeling good, man," Collins said. "I can't wait for it. We've got to keep building. It felt good to be back out there with the guys. Another week under my belt and I keep working." Collins leads the Texans with 621 receiving yards and has 36 receptions, three touchdowns and is averaging 17.3 yards per catch. He's a must-start for fantasy managers in Week 12 against the Titans.
Nov 22, 2024 3:25 PM EST
The Houston Texans saw top wide receiver Nico Collins haul in four passes for 54 yards on seven targets during a 34-10 victory at Dallas. The star wideout's return to the field after a hamstring ailment landed him on injured reserve was a bit underwhelming, as he finished with exactly the same stat line as fellow wide receiver Tank Dell. However, it was running back Joe Mixon who stole the show, scoring all three of the Texans' offensive touchdowns in the convincing win. Collins and the Texans' passing game will have a great chance to break out against a reeling Tennessee team in Week 12.
Nov 19, 2024 12:07 AM EST
Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (hamstring) is considered a full-go for the Monday night game against the Dallas Cowboys and will not have any playing-time restrictions despite missing the team's last five games due to a hamstring injury. It's excellent news for Collins' fantasy managers that should have already moved him back into their starting lineups for Week 11 action. The 25-year-old pass-catcher hasn't played since getting hurt back on Oct. 6 against the Buffalo Bills, but before his injury, he was the NFL's receiving leader, and he's returning to an offense that won't have receiver Stefon Diggs (knee) for the rest of the year. The Cowboys defense has been around middle of the pack in terms of fantasy points allowed to opposing wideouts in 2024, but Collins should be heavily involved in his first game back and has WR1 upside as long as he plays a normal share of offensive snaps.
Nov 18, 2024 4:42 PM EST
Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (hamstring) is without a designation heading into Week 11's matchup against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night Football. The 25-year-old wideout has been shelved since he picked up a hamstring injury while scoring a 67-yard touchdown in Houston's 23-20 win over the Buffalo Bills back in Week 5. He'd miss the ensuing five contests but will make his return this Monday against the team's in-state rivals. Before sustaining the ailment, Collins was on fire, racking up at least 78 yards in all five of his appearances. He should immediately slot back in as the preferred option in the Texans' passing attack. The former Michigan Wolverine is averaging 113.4 receiving yards per game and is a strong WR1 play for Week 11's outing. Collins is RotoBaller's PPR WR9 for Monday night's matchup.
Nov 16, 2024 4:33 PM EST