The Houston Texans’ selection of Nico Collins in Round 3 (No. 89 overall) during the 2021 NFL Draft came with mixed reviews.
The Texans addressed their need to add a bigger receiver with Collins standing 6-4. But his selection was the second time the Texans decided to focus on offense during the draft despite their lack of talent on defense. Houston took Stanford quarterback Davis Mills with their first pick (Round 3, No. 67 overall) during the draft.
What made Houston’s decision to select Collins more puzzling was the haul they gave up to acquire the former Michigan Wolverine. The Texans traded two fourth-round picks, one of which is for 2022, and a ’21 fifth-round pick to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for the 89th overall pick used to draft Collins.
However, according to Isaiah Hole, managing editor of the Wolverines Wire, the Texans didn’t pay too steep a price for Collins.
“Nico is your typical throwback number one receiver,” Hole told Locked On Texans. “He’s 6-4 and extremely fast. He is the type of guy that is going to be your downfield threat and catch that 50-50 ball. I think if he has a quarterback who is accurate and has a big arm to throw downfield, that is what will benefit him the most. In fact, that is what Collins is best at.”
Collins spent four years at Michigan, where he recorded a total of 1,388 yards on 78 catches, to go along with 13 touchdowns. He opted out of play during the 2020 collegiate season due to COVID-19 concerns.
During his virtual post-draft press conference, Collins said his workout performances during Senior Bowl week were his opportunity to show NFL scouts what he has been working on during the offseason. With a career of 27 college games under his belt since 2017, Hole compared Collins’ playing style to pro bowl receiver Kenny Golladay.
“I don’t think it was a bad move at all [for the Texans],” he said. “Of course, you want to go out and get a guy like that if you can get him in the third round. I think it was a good move because I think he will be the number one receiver for the Texans. If not this year, then sometime in the next year or two.”
The Texans have two proven veterans atop the receiving corps in Brandin Cooks and Randall Cobb, and signed Chris Conley, Donte Moncrief, and Alex Erickson in free agency.