Nico Collins Cracks the NFL Top 100 at No. 32

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Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins has officially earned national recognition, landing at No. 32 on the NFL’s Top 100 Players list for 2025.

The 6’4”, 222-pound pass catcher was drafted out of Michigan in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft, viewed as a developmental prospect with elite measurables — size, length, and a 4.4-second 40-yard dash. Collins’ stock was affected by a unique set of circumstances: his final season at Michigan was canceled because of COVID-19, prompting him to declare early, and his first two NFL seasons were hampered by inconsistent quarterback play and offensive schemes that failed to showcase his skill set.

That all changed in 2023, C.J. Stroud’s rookie year. Collins emerged as Stroud’s go-to target, combining size, physicality, and refined route running to dominate one-on-one matchups. I thought he deserved a spot on the NFL Top 100 list then, but the narrative around him — one breakout season after two quieter years — left some questioning whether it was sustainable.

I’ve been a huge fan of Nico’s game from the beginning and was vocal about extending him after the 2023 season. The Texans did just that, locking him in at $24 million per year. At the time, some saw it as a gamble for a player with only one elite year on his résumé. Now, it looks like one of the best-value contracts in football.

In 2024, Collins proved the breakout was no fluke. Despite missing five games with a hamstring injury, he recorded 68 receptions for 1,006 yards and 7 touchdowns in just 12 games. His 2024 performance reaffirmed his status as one of the NFL’s most dangerous big-body receivers — capable of taking over a game at any moment.

Nico Collins’ climb to No. 32 is more than just an individual honor. It’s a statement that the league has officially taken notice. And for the Texans, it’s confirmation that their investment in him was worth every penny.