Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2023, hauling in 80 receptions for 1,297 yards and eight touchdowns.
However, Anthony DiBona of Pro Football Network does not anticipate that the upstart pass-catcher will post the same type of production in 2024.
DiBona cites the arrival of Stefon Diggs as the primary reason why Collins’ numbers may take a dip this coming season, which certainly makes sense given that the Texans also have Tank Dell in their receiving corps. You also have to account for tight end Dalton Schultz and new running back Joe Mixon, who is a very capable receiver out of the backfield.
DiBona’s assessment is certainly no disrespect to Collins. It’s merely an acknowledgment that he may not garner as many targets from quarterback C.J. Stroud due to the presence of all of the incredibly viable weapons up and down the roster.
Collins, who played his collegiate football at the University of Michigan, was selected by Houston in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
The 25-year-old failed to crack 500 yards in either of his first two seasons before busting out in 2023.
Will the Texans be able to challenge the Chiefs this year?
The Texans were one of the NFL’s most pleasant surprises last season, winning 10 games and capturing the AFC South division title when most people expected them to finish in the basement.
But will Houston be able to build upon its success and challenge the Kansas City Chiefs for AFC supremacy in 2024?
The Texans definitely look good on paper. Not only did they swing a trade for Diggs, but they also signed superstar edge rusher Danielle Hunter in free agency (which may have actually been the team’s best offseason move).
But will it all translate into on-field success?
Stroud will have a lot of mouths to feed in the aerial attack, and given how volatile Diggs’ personality is, that could end up causing some problems.
Plus, the sophomore slump is a thing, and we have to see if Stroud can avoid it.
Of course, there is also the possibility that everything goes swimmingly and the Texans end up boasting the most dynamic offense in all of football.
We’ll find out in September.
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