The first two picks of the general manager Nick Caserio era were at quarterback and receiver, the two big positions that have been shaken up the most since 2020.
The Houston Texans drafted quarterback Davis Mills with their first third-round pick (No. 67 overall) and traded up to take receiver Nico Collins in the third-round (No. 89 overall).
Collins and Mills can’t turn around the Texans overnight, but they have a chance to elevate the offense back to where it was over the past couple of years. To get there, they have to form a connection, which Collins has been working on since rookie minicamp.
“We’ve been connected since rookie minicamp, OTAs,” Collins said. “We’ve always been playing pitch and catch with each other during the rotation.”
Mills was second to former Pro Bowler Tyrod Taylor on the depth chart and didn’t get as many chances to forge chemistry with Collins during practices. Similarly, Brandin Cooks, Randall Cobb, and Chris Conley were ahead of Collins on the depth chart. However, when Mills needed a receiver after practice to work on his throws, Collins was there.
“We’ve always had that connection,” Collins said. “We stay after practice. You know quarterbacks need a couple of throws. I’m there catching for him, so the connection has always been there. We are just building on it, finding ways we can score points, the whole offense.”
Collins and Mills are both feeling their way through pro football. While Mills completed his final year at Stanford in 2020, Collins opted out of his final year at Michigan.
Nevertheless, Collins believes he can strengthen his connection with Mills.
Said Collins: “I feel like things are going to get better, we’re all going to keep growing, keep continuing to improve on anything we need to improve on.”
The rookie duo will get a chance to show what they have against the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday at 12:00 p.m. Central Time at TIAA Bank Field.