NicoCollins

News: 11 hours agoCollins has been in top form at practice ahead of the 2026 campaign, John Harris of the Texans' official website reports.

Spin: Collins took a bit of a step back in 2025, catching 71 of a career-high 120 targets for 1,117 yards and six scores over 15 regular-season contests. On the surface, it certainly appears to have been another impressive campaign, which it was, but his 4.7 receptions per game, 74.5 yards per contest and six scores were the wide receiver's lowest figures since 2022. Quarterback C.J. Stroud had a down year in 2025, and if he can get back on track this season, Collins could reap the benefits most substantially. The wideout made a series of impressive plays at practice Tuesday, connecting with Stroud on a handful of occasions. Collins is still considered to be a fantasy WR1 option in 2026, and he appears to be on track to hit the ground running Week 1 against Buffalo.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: Collins heads into his sixth NFL campaign yet to play a full 17-game season, but having been very productive when on the field. The 2021 third-round pick has cleared 1,000 yards and scored either seven or eight touchdowns each of the past three seasons, finishing in the top 10 in fantasy PPG and top 12 in yards per route run in all three. A force near the goal line, Collins ranked fourth among receivers with 13 end zone targets in 2025. The 27-year-old's target share doesn't stack up with other top receivers (he has never cleared 24.4%), but his high-end efficiency is just enough to keep him in the back-end WR1 mix.