NFL World Reacts to Nico Collins’ Impressive Prime-Time Saturday Night Performance

Houston Texans WR Nico Collins walked into the 2023 season as a wide receiver who had yet to surpass 40 receptions in a single season. He was also the 14th wide receiver taken in his 2021 NFL Draft class.

Collins is now a 1,000-yard wide receiver and spent his Saturday getting the NFL world buzzing over his performance that ended the long playoff dry spell for the Texans.

‘A Rising Star’ Among Reactions for Nico Collins

Collins snatched nine receptions on all nine targets from the arm of C.J. Stroud. And the now third-year wideout tallied 195 yards in the 23-19 road win over the Indianapolis Colts.

By 10:15 p.m. ET, Collins had already topped the 150-yard mark against a Colts team also fighting for a postseason berth. Collins earned “a rising star” label by PFN.

A rising star 📈 https://t.co/yu3h1v3RwU

— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) January 7, 2024

Right away, the Stroud and Collins connection proved to be lethal in the Heartland.

The Stroud to Collins connection is LETHAL pic.twitter.com/4DGuxANJRE

— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) January 7, 2024

He even ran angry on short throws made by Stroud, turning a simple pass into a violent rumbling gain.

Nico Collins running ANGRY 😡

📺: #HOUvsIND on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/C88VYpgzkh pic.twitter.com/xnTvMcZONa

— NFL (@NFL) January 7, 2024

But Collins even delivered the catch of the night in what was originally looking like a thrown-away pass by Stroud. Collins, however, refused to allow that ball to bounce off the ground.

If you didn’t know who CJ Stroud was before tonight, you damn well know now. pic.twitter.com/ufaUHXhr2l

— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) January 7, 2024

In the end, Collins earned a comparison to Texans wideout legend Andre Johnson during the game.

MORE: PFN’s FREE NFL Playoff Predictor

Then, the X (formerly known as Twitter) account for NFL Rookie Watch sent out the reminder that Collins got passed over in the NFL Draft. One notable name that went ahead of the Michigan product? The often criticized Kansas City Chiefs wideout Kadarius Toney.

Nico Collins just made every team look SILLY for passing on him in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Collins had to watch 13 WR’s go before him (including Kadarius Toney), now he’s one of the best WR’s in the league.

Collins’ final 2023 regular season stats:

• 80 receptions (led team)
•… pic.twitter.com/gGYiFEpu1h

— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) January 7, 2024

Meanwhile, Reese’s Senior Bowl executive director Jim Nagy believes Collins is making a strong case for “most underrated wide receiver in the league.”

Even Super Bowl-winning wide receiver Torry Holt couldn’t help but post how Collins “balled” on the night with a postseason berth on the line.

Collins Himself Reacts to Breakout Night

The 6’4″ Collins may be far from becoming the new Johnson for Houston. Or becoming just as ultra-productive as past Texans top wideout De’Andre Hopkins.

But he’s now in this category with the aforementioned past Houston WR stars: The 1,200-yard club, as Collins surpassed that mark in Indy.

To hit that mark, Collins admitted to reporters postgame he had to take better care of his body compared to years past. He spent the first two seasons of his career dealing with calf, foot, and shoulder ailments.

“It’s part of the game. So it was time for a couple of guys to step up,” Collins said.

This time, though, he and the Texans had to navigate with some significant knicks and bruises that hit the team hard. Rookie Tank Dell was among the Texans who went from breakout debut to going on injured reserve because of a broken fibula. Even Stroud had to miss some action with a concussion late in the season.

Collins and the Texans refused to waiver.

“We’ve never had our full squad,” Collins said. “Once we have everybody back, we’re a team that can make some things happen. We’re on a mission.”

Collins certainly looked like a man on a mission — one that involved ending a three-year streak of missing the playoffs. He’s no longer known as the oft-injured WR who couldn’t crack the 40-catch mark. He became a major reason the Texans are back in the playoffs.

After shredding the Colts with his nearly 200-yard night, Collins ended it by sending out an emotional message to “H-Town.”

“Houston, we did that for y’all,” Collins said through the cell phone.

FOR THE CITY 🤘 pic.twitter.com/5wAQUkwe2s

— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) January 7, 2024

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