Collins is entering his fifth year in the league and is excited to be a mentor to the younger wideouts.
The Houston Texans wide receiver room has gone through some changes as of late, with Stefon Diggs and Robert Woods both heading elsewhere. With 2023 third-round pick Tank Dell expected to miss time due to a gruesome knee injury he suffered last season, it's up to 2021 third-round pick Nico Collins to provide the leadership to a young receiving group.
The 26-year-old is entering his fifth year in the NFL and while he may not have as much experience as other wideouts in the league, he's ready to take on the new role.
The Texans added two new wide receivers in the draft -- second-round pick Jayden Higgins and third-round pick Jaylin Noel, both out of Iowa State. Collins seems thrilled with the picks, who each had over 1,000 yards receiving in 2024.
"Man, they got some dawgs," Collins said. "They got some playmakers, man ... It's gonna be fun. It's gonna be a great year. I can't wait to get going with everybody."
Collins, who finished last season with 1,006 yards on 68 receptions with seven touchdowns in 12 games, earning himself a Pro Bowl honor, says "it's a blessing" to serve as a mentor for younger players.
"It's crazy how time flies. It's a blessing to be in this position, man. It's only right for me to lead by example," he said. "I know they're gonna push me, I'm gonna push them. That's the only way we can get better and we're gonna shine on Sundays. So, push each other and let them boys know, let the DBs know what's up. I can't wait to join the guys, man. I'm excited to get back with them boys, for sure."
Houston also has a new offensive coordinator, bringing in Nick Caley, the former Los Angeles Rams tight ends coach and pass game coordinator.
The Texans finished first in the AFC South for the second year in a row, with a record of 10-7. They defeated the Los Angeles Chargers in the wild-card round, before losing to the Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional round.
Nico Collins Makes Bold Statement After Texans' Playoff Shortcomings
Across the past two postseasons for the Houston Texans, it's been two showings ultimately ending with a pair of divisional losses, both times to the Kansas City Chiefs, this time falling short 14-23 in a matchup in which C.J. Stroud was sacked a grand total of eight times.
It was a rough output for Houston, and one that ended their division-winning campaign to a halt for a second-straight year. However, heading into the season ahead, it's clear this Texans roster is motivated to change how things transpire for their third time around.
Texans wide receiver Nico Collins recently sounded off on the mindset he and the Texans are set to carry into next season after two divisional losses, where he made it clear there's a new vigor about this group for the 2025 season.
“Yeah, I feel like it’s a chip on our shoulders," Collins said following his second divisional loss. "We’ve gotta be hungry every year, that’s the mindset. I feel like our locker room is full of dawgs. I feel like we’re never satisfied. There’s no reason to be satisfied until we get to that goal. Fell short, same spot, twice. Lost to the same team, so we know the feeling. We know what it takes not to get to the feeling again. Every day, we’re head down, one foot in front of the other, and we’re gonna work every single day.”
After the same fate transpired for Houston for yet another season, it's apparent Collins wants to be a part of the change to what leads this team to get over the hump. Especially after replicating their previous results against Kansas City, repeating the same outcome cannot be on the table for this Texans group this coming season.
Thanks to some tweaks and work done on both sides of the ball by the front office throughout this offseason, the tools may be there for the Texans to make that aspired leap into a conference championship or even further, but for that to happen, the on-field pieces need to connect ideally as well.
For Collins, he's motivated to do what it takes to make that happen.
