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Nico Collins is a legit WR 1

Here is where I am, they have this 3 or 4 yr window. If they feel like the money is going to be big, they should draft Brian Thomas this year and let Nico walk after the season. Even if they think its doable, they can still draft his replacement and replace his salary with the newly drafted wr. I would let him prove it again this year, but I like what I saw with CJ.
Okay just for discussion: let's say that what I keep hearing out of Philadelphia is true that AJ Brown is on the way out. Would Philly accept Nico Collins straight up? 2 years younger and in Post June 1st trade [non- designated only applies] Eagles save $2 m and Nico's base is $3 m.This allows Philly to use 2024 to spread signing bonus. Great deal for Eagles. Hurts doesn’t have to worry about his number one wide receiver chewing his butt out during the game.

Texans get the better WR with costs in 2024 of base + roster of $1.635 m.

Signed thru 2026 when he turns 29 but * no GTD $ after 2024!
I see Collins getting $25 m APY no argument and no home discount.

Use the ~$23 million APY savings + unexpected 15 m added to cap= $38 m or 2024 cap hits of ~$13 million each for Josh Allen; Jaylon Johnson and Danielle Hunter 😀. This doesn't impact the $55 m cap space we thought we had.

Draft best WR available at 1.23.
 
Everyone ready to give Nico a 5-year $125 million contract? That would put smiles on some players faces in the NFL.
Perhaps even give some free agents the idea of coming here. He had a really good season in 2023 but he did have several games with either low yards per catch or few catches.

I'm not, I just can't shake the feeling that its more CJ than it is Collins. You look at Collins first 2 two years and his stats are pretty much the same each year, look at year 3 and it doesn't just jump but absolutely sky rockets. The only thing that changed really was who was throwing the ball. To me he hasn't shown near enough to be in the pay range of a Hill or Adams. There are way better options for that price and if there isn't anyone better per say there are at least ones that are cheaper. Something tells me CJ can make any WR look good as long as they can catch what they can touch.
 
Okay just for discussion: let's say that what I keep hearing out of Philadelphia is true that AJ Brown is on the way out.
I don't know what you're listening to in Philly, but the Eagles would take a $28 million cap hit if they were to trade AJ Brown now. The Eagles don't even have that much cap space. It's laughable to even entertain the notion.
 
Okay just for discussion: let's say that what I keep hearing out of Philadelphia is true that AJ Brown is on the way out. Would Philly accept Nico Collins straight up? 2 years younger and in Post June 1st trade [non- designated only applies] Eagles save $2 m and Nico's base is $3 m.This allows Philly to use 2024 to spread signing bonus. Great deal for Eagles. Hurts doesn’t have to worry about his number one wide receiver chewing his butt out during the game.

Texans get the better WR with costs in 2024 of base + roster of $1.635 m.

Signed thru 2026 when he turns 29 but * no GTD $ after 2024!
I see Collins getting $25 m APY no argument and no home discount.

Use the ~$23 million APY savings + unexpected 15 m added to cap= $38 m or 2024 cap hits of ~$13 million each for Josh Allen; Jaylon Johnson and Danielle Hunter 😀. This doesn't impact the $55 m cap space we thought we had.

Draft best WR available at 1.23.

Like the idea but I don't see Philly going for it because Collins hasn't shown yet to be in Brown's league and they have cap issues. Only reason they might is if Brown is pushing to get out and the relationship between him and Hurts is unrepairable. Also they would need to sprinkle some fairy dust on their cap to get it working. Might still have to sweeten the pot a bit but I would offer a 6th and something that helps with their cap issue, not a draft guru so not sure what that would be. They want anything else I'd walk away from the table.
 
I'm not, I just can't shake the feeling that its more CJ than it is Collins.
So? CJ isn't going anywhere. No reason to think Nico won't continue to produce. Here's one thing that makes me believe that some of this production was from Nico blossoming in the new system. 16 broken tackles for Collins in 2023. 3 broken tackles in his two previous seasons. Stroud didn't break those tackles for Nico. But he may have inspired Collins. No reason to stop now.
 
Nico is a 6 foot 5 beast, and an ascending player. The key with Nico is health. If he plays an avg of 14-15 games/yr, that’s good enough. And let’s face it, when your QB is Davis Mills, Jerry Rice would look like dog doo doo. Last time I looked, receivers didn’t throw the ball to themselves. I’m still perplexed why people wanted to continue with Davis. Lord have mercy on your poor little souls. I would like to see one more season to be sure, but yes, Nick needs to put Nico as priority #1 to sign an extension next year.
 
Okay just for discussion: let's say that what I keep hearing out of Philadelphia is true that AJ Brown is on the way out.
JB's post in the NFL Random thread debunked the Brown wanting to be traded talk.
Will come as a blow to some wanting outlandish trades

"I have no problem. I want to be here, it's as simple as that," Brown told Philadelphia radio station 94WIP. "I love where I'm at, it's as simple as that. Next question."

He also called rumors of friction between himself and quarterback Jalen Hurts "total B.S."

"I'm not going to get into me and his relationship on the air. But it's total B.S., you know what I'm saying?" he said. "It wasn't a problem when I was on my six-game streak. They wasn't talking about that then, so they only started talking about that when we started losing. Of course, you see friction from everybody, from the coaches, the players and from everybody. So there you go."
 
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So? CJ isn't going anywhere. No reason to think Nico won't continue to produce. Here's one thing that makes me believe that some of this production was from Nico blossoming in the new system. 16 broken tackles for Collins in 2023. 3 broken tackles in his two previous seasons. Stroud didn't break those tackles for Nico. But he may have inspired Collins. No reason to stop now.

No he's not going anywhere but if the numbers @badboy said are the correct numbers, and I'll be the first to admit I don't know if they are, I don't see Collins as worth Hill or Adams money. Do you?
 
Nico is a 6 foot 5 beast, and an ascending player. The key with Nico is health. If he plays an avg of 14-15 games/yr, that’s good enough. And let’s face it, when your QB is Davis Mills, Jerry Rice would look like dog doo doo. Last time I looked, receivers didn’t throw the ball to themselves. I’m still perplexed why people wanted to continue with Davis. Lord have mercy on your poor little souls. I would like to see one more season to be sure, but yes, Nick needs to put Nico as priority #1 to sign an extension next year.

If he has the same kind of year next year that he had last year then yeah I'll all on board with paying him. But even factoring in bad QB play two years of ~400 yards and 1 or 2 TDs and then one career year is not enough for me to back the Brinks truck up yet.
 
If he has the same kind of year next year that he had last year then yeah I'll all on board with paying him. But even factoring in bad QB play two years of ~400 yards and 1 or 2 TDs and then one career year is not enough for me to back the Brinks truck up yet.

The problem for the Texans is that Collins will be a free agent after the 2024 season. They could get Collins at a reduced price now. But if Nico goes off again, that $125 million will look light. That’s why they pay Nick the big bucks.
 
The problem for the Texans is that Collins will be a free agent after the 2024 season. They could get Collins at a reduced price now. But if Nico goes off again, that $125 million will look light. That’s why they pay Nick the big bucks.

I get it but on the flip side lets say he doesn't have a banner year with Dell back or that Texans sign Evans or Ridley or Brown or any of the other top WRs hitting free agency. Yes in many cases its dependent on those teams letting them go but the huge cap increase combined with the Texans already large cap space means that it would be hard for teams to win a bidding war against us if DeMeco, Slowik and Caserio really want someone. Like you said thats Nick's job to figure out and I'm glad I'm not the one making the call.
 
The problem for the Texans is that Collins will be a free agent after the 2024 season. They could get Collins at a reduced price now. But if Nico goes off again, that $125 million will look light. That’s why they pay Nick the big bucks.
This is why Caserio should re-sign Collins sometime during this season. He's got an extra 10 mil in cap space to work with.

Collins being healthy is the biggest difference, hopefully he can continue to remain healthy. If he can, he's a top 10 wr in the NFL.
 
The problem for the Texans is that Collins will be a free agent after the 2024 season. They could get Collins at a reduced price now. But if Nico goes off again, that $125 million will look light. That’s why they pay Nick the big bucks.

They could give him 4-6 weeks into the season to gauge where he's at. If he's balling again, try to lock him up in-season. I know Rick was a hard no on signing extensions during the season, but I am sure Nick will do that. Yes, that might cost more than the same deal today...BUT now you have some reassurance that he is looking like a long term baller. And you avoid him hitting the market next spring where now you're competing with multiple suitors.

It will cost more than today, but much less than waiting until next spring while also affirming that 2023 was not a fluke.
 
They could give him 4-6 weeks into the season to gauge where he's at. If he's balling again, try to lock him up in-season. I know Rick was a hard no on signing extensions during the season, but I am sure Nick will do that. Yes, that might cost more than the same deal today...BUT now you have some reassurance that he is looking like a long term baller. And you avoid him hitting the market next spring where now you're competing with multiple suitors.

It will cost more than today, but much less than waiting until next spring while also affirming that 2023 was not a fluke.
The only extension RS did in season was the Schaub extension and that was against Kubiaks wishes.
 
They could give him 4-6 weeks into the season to gauge where he's at. If he's balling again, try to lock him up in-season. I know Rick was a hard no on signing extensions during the season, but I am sure Nick will do that. Yes, that might cost more than the same deal today...BUT now you have some reassurance that he is looking like a long term baller. And you avoid him hitting the market next spring where now you're competing with multiple suitors.

It will cost more than today, but much less than waiting until next spring while also affirming that 2023 was not a fluke.

Not bad at all, plus it allows you to try and sign one of the big name FAs, if possible and that's what they want, without tying up a bunch of money in Collins.
 
I'm not, I just can't shake the feeling that its more CJ than it is Collins. You look at Collins first 2 two years and his stats are pretty much the same each year, look at year 3 and it doesn't just jump but absolutely sky rockets. The only thing that changed really was who was throwing the ball. To me he hasn't shown near enough to be in the pay range of a Hill or Adams. There are way better options for that price and if there isn't anyone better per say there are at least ones that are cheaper. Something tells me CJ can make any WR look good as long as they can catch what they can touch.
If this is true about Stroud and I think it is, we need to take advantage of that. This should also rule out a free agent like Mike Evans or round 1 or 2 WRs. Of course, I realize that fits into my plans of trading out of pick 23.
 
I don't know what you're listening to in Philly, but the Eagles would take a $28 million cap hit if they were to trade AJ Brown now. The Eagles don't even have that much cap space. It's laughable to even entertain the notion.
You need to review your capology. As I stated originally, a post June 1st trade opens up ~$2 million in 2024 and 16 million in the next season of cap space.

I am sure that Philadelphia wishes Brown would just shut up and play but it apparently is not going to happen.

 
Like the idea but I don't see Philly going for it because Collins hasn't shown yet to be in Brown's league and they have cap issues. Only reason they might is if Brown is pushing to get out and the relationship between him and Hurts is unrepairable. Also they would need to sprinkle some fairy dust on their cap to get it working. Might still have to sweeten the pot a bit but I would offer a 6th and something that helps with their cap issue, not a draft guru so not sure what that would be. They want anything else I'd walk away from the table.
See my reply to Lucky. Philly would eat dead money but may not have much choice. We see these types of situations every year. I think Houston is ready to give Nico $25 million apy. Eagles may agree and see that as an alternative to putting up with Brown. Nico could be the next Brown stat wise.
 
Nico is a 6 foot 5 beast, and an ascending player. The key with Nico is health. If he plays an avg of 14-15 games/yr, that’s good enough. And let’s face it, when your QB is Davis Mills, Jerry Rice would look like dog doo doo. Last time I looked, receivers didn’t throw the ball to themselves. I’m still perplexed why people wanted to continue with Davis. Lord have mercy on your poor little souls. I would like to see one more season to be sure, but yes, Nick needs to put Nico as priority #1 to sign an extension next year.
6'4" and you know how much attention a silly inch receives from some folks...😁.

For those who have not read this article, it is very interesting.
 
They could give him 4-6 weeks into the season to gauge where he's at.
Collins would be much closer to free agency and more likely to wait. You want to mitigate the team's risk. So does the agent for Collins. That's why he might give the Texans a discount now, rather than when the season starts.

The franchise tag for WRs in 2025 is expected to rise to over $25 million. So the Texans should have that in their back pocket.

I think Houston is ready to give Nico $25 million apy.
That deal would look real good as time goes by. And it's an extension. The big money wouldn't hit until 2025. And Nick needs to spend on players now, before CJ and Will go to the bank in 2027.
 
You need to review your capology. As I stated originally, a post June 1st trade opens up ~$2 million in 2024 and 16 million in the next season of cap space.

I am sure that Philadelphia wishes Brown would just shut up and play but it apparently is not going to happen.

I don't know what to tell you, other than this hypothetical trade is not happening. $42 million in dead money is still $42 million, however you slice it.
 
They could give him 4-6 weeks into the season to gauge where he's at. If he's balling again, try to lock him up in-season. I know Rick was a hard no on signing extensions during the season, but I am sure Nick will do that. Yes, that might cost more than the same deal today...BUT now you have some reassurance that he is looking like a long term baller. And you avoid him hitting the market next spring where now you're competing with multiple suitors.

It will cost more than today, but much less than waiting until next spring while also affirming that 2023 was not a fluke.
This is what I expect will happen. Let Collins know that he's only a signature away and watch him go ballistic.
 
AJ Brown was injured alot early in his career also. All the running they do it takes a toll. Again, I can draft Brian Thomas and leverage against Nico without offending him. We also see where the Arkansas wr haven't been able duplicate AJ Brown production either.
 
6'4" and you know how much attention a silly inch receives from some folks...😁.

For those who have not read this article, it is very interesting.

Be honest I don't put much stock in that article on its own merits. The author is pretty much same as you or me and actually quoted himself in his own article. He may have some good points but its nothing better than posts I have seen on here.
 
I'm not, I just can't shake the feeling that its more CJ than it is Collins. You look at Collins first 2 two years and his stats are pretty much the same each year, look at year 3 and it doesn't just jump but absolutely sky rockets. The only thing that changed really was who was throwing the ball. To me he hasn't shown near enough to be in the pay range of a Hill or Adams. There are way better options for that price and if there isn't anyone better per say there are at least ones that are cheaper. Something tells me CJ can make any WR look good as long as they can catch what they can touch.

.....uhmmm, WR's have to break containment or make the tough contested catches. Collins demonstrated his ability to do both during the season. Nico's interested in an extension.....if I'm Caserio, I'm interested in locking this guy up. Give Stroud a better pocket to work from and Nico/Dell are going to blister some secondary's......especially with another weapon on the field.
 
.....uhmmm, WR's have to break containment or make the tough contested catches. Collins demonstrated his ability to do both during the season. Nico's interested in an extension.....if I'm Caserio, I'm interested in locking this guy up. Give Stroud a better pocket to work from and Nico/Dell are going to blister some secondary's......especially with another weapon on the field.

No I get that but its far easier when your QB can throw you open and put the ball through a window both of which CJ can do. Again I come back to his overall history, and not just his recent one, where he had 2 nothing seasons and then a season he sky rocketed. The only thing that changed was who was throwing the ball. Now you can say that he had crap QB play and that is very true, but when you are talking about paying a guy Adams and Hill level money then you expect him to have a great season even if he doesn't have the greatest QB. I go back to Hopkins who most of his career had crap QB play and still lit up teams. I feel that's a fair comparison because again we are talking about paying him like you would Hopkins in his prime. I agree with @Porky I'd like to see at least a half season or so to know if he can repeat that level or if it was just a one off.
 
I would wait another year to extend Nico and make him prove it again. Not that I don't trust him, I just don't think he's going to extend for something worth the commitment at this time. Is 65m over 3 years really that big of a difference over 75m/3y next offseason? Let him take the injury risk this year and see what he can do in a contract year. If he (god forbid) tears an ACL or something else significant, he surely won't cost as much next year. If he has a top 3 WR season, then tag him and work a deal. I say that looking forward and not seeing anyone else worth tagging in 2025 as well.
 
but when you are talking about paying a guy Adams and Hill level money then you expect him to have a great season even if he doesn't have the greatest QB.
Didn't Adams and Hill make their bones playing with top 5 all time QBs?

I would wait another year to extend Nico and make him prove it again.
The Texans should be able to get away with that using the franchise tag in 2025. Collins is the only player I could possibly see the Texans tag in 2025.
 
Didn't Adams and Hill make their bones playing with top 5 all time QBs?


The Texans should be able to get away with that using the franchise tag in 2025. Collins is the only player I could possibly see the Texans tag in 2025.

They did yes but they also did it with Derek and Tua. I'm not saying its all CJ when it comes to Collins, I'm just saying I would want to see at least a few more games from him to show that last year wasn't a fluke and that he can stay healthy. Especially with some of the top tier WRs coming up in FA that we might have a shot at. Just hypothetically lets say you could sign Collins or Evans for around the same price. Which one are you signing?
 
They did yes but they also did it with Derek and Tua. I'm not saying its all CJ when it comes to Collins, I'm just saying I would want to see at least a few more games from him to show that last year wasn't a fluke and that he can stay healthy. Especially with some of the top tier WRs coming up in FA that we might have a shot at. Just hypothetically lets say you could sign Collins or Evans for around the same price. Which one are you signing?
I can't see Collins regressing at this stage of his career - I could see him getting less yards if Tank stays healthy.
Consider this - CJ likely gets even better with another full off season under his belt.
 
AJ Brown was injured alot early in his career also. All the running they do it takes a toll. Again, I can draft Brian Thomas and leverage against Nico without offending him. We also see where the Arkansas wr haven't been able duplicate AJ Brown production either.
All but 2021 [almost 900], Brown had over 1K with last two seasons banging on 1500. Give me more tired, injured huddled WRs yearning to be free. Sometimes what you say just doesn't connect with me but I have been accused of the same thing.
 
Be honest I don't put much stock in that article on its own merits. The author is pretty much same as you or me and actually quoted himself in his own article. He may have some good points but its nothing better than posts I have seen on here.
Okay and I did not verify the stats that he quoted but you should quickly be able to tell me where he got it wrong?
 
I would wait another year to extend Nico and make him prove it again. Not that I don't trust him, I just don't think he's going to extend for something worth the commitment at this time. Is 65m over 3 years really that big of a difference over 75m/3y next offseason? Let him take the injury risk this year and see what he can do in a contract year. If he (god forbid) tears an ACL or something else significant, he surely won't cost as much next year. If he has a top 3 WR season, then tag him and work a deal. I say that looking forward and not seeing anyone else worth tagging in 2025 as well.
Coming off 2023's 1200 plus season and it is now game 15 in 2024 with Nico sitting at 1300 yd with two games to go and at least one more game in the playoffs. You are ready to negotiate a reasonable deal and he comes back with $32 million apy. Sure you can tag him but we know how that goes with NFL wide receivers. Do you really want to be irritating?
 
Considering he's averaged 13 games a season for his career thus far?
Yes.. that was 2023.
Nico had significant playing time in 13 games his rookie year; and 10 games in 2022.

And again his rookie year and 2022 he didn't do anything of note. I'm not saying don't pay him I'm saying right now everyone is looking at one good to great year and saying he is a franchise WR and should be paid like one of the top WRs in the league. He may very well be but for now the overall picture doesn't paint that.
 
Okay and I did not verify the stats that he quoted but you should quickly be able to tell me where he got it wrong?

Considering most of it was just his opinion its not about him being right or wrong. Of course the article is from Oct. so some of what he said stat wise didn't last all season.
 
I’m going to be happy with how Caserio handles the Nico situation. If Nico is ready to talk extension, now might be the perfect time for Caserio to get the best deal done. If Nico has a similar season in 2024, his performance could easily price him out of the Texans market unless they want to tag him for another season. If Nico and his agent are ready to talk, I hope Caserio is ready to listen.
 
And again his rookie year and 2022 he didn't do anything of note. I'm not saying don't pay him I'm saying right now everyone is looking at one good to great year and saying he is a franchise WR and should be paid like one of the top WRs in the league. He may very well be but for now the overall picture doesn't paint that.

I thought the central question/idea I was responding to was the matter of 'can he stay healthy' and whether or not he could put together a particular number of games a year to justify any questions about his availability..
 
And again his rookie year and 2022 he didn't do anything of note. I'm not saying don't pay him I'm saying right now everyone is looking at one good to great year and saying he is a franchise WR and should be paid like one of the top WRs in the league. He may very well be but for now the overall picture doesn't paint that.
I was responding to the question of Nico staying healthy for 11 to 15 games, which he has done for two of his three years.
 
Didn't Adams and Hill make their bones playing with top 5 all time QBs?


The Texans should be able to get away with that using the franchise tag in 2025. Collins is the only player I could possibly see the Texans tag in 2025.

Yes they did, but Hill isn't playing with a top 5 QB now. He's still the WR1 in the NFL IMHO.

Hopefully they extend Collins if not they should franchise him in 2025.
 
They did yes but they also did it with Derek and Tua. I'm not saying its all CJ when it comes to Collins, I'm just saying I would want to see at least a few more games from him to show that last year wasn't a fluke and that he can stay healthy. Especially with some of the top tier WRs coming up in FA that we might have a shot at. Just hypothetically lets say you could sign Collins or Evans for around the same price. Which one are you signing?
I would re-sign Collins. I'm betting he can stay healthy. He was on par with Evans last yr and he's younger.
 
And again his rookie year and 2022 he didn't do anything of note. I'm not saying don't pay him I'm saying right now everyone is looking at one good to great year and saying he is a franchise WR and should be paid like one of the top WRs in the league. He may very well be but for now the overall picture doesn't paint that.
Yes, I and I think others agree with you; however the time constraint is we have basically 17 games to make a decision and as each one ticks off, if his agent is smart; the cost will go up significantly. We are hoping Caserio knows exactly when to pull the trigger if at all.
 
I’m going to be happy with how Caserio handles the Nico situation. If Nico is ready to talk extension, now might be the perfect time for Caserio to get the best deal done. If Nico has a similar season in 2024, his performance could easily price him out of the Texans market unless they want to tag him for another season. If Nico and his agent are ready to talk, I hope Caserio is ready to listen.
Yes. I am waiting for someone to tell me what makes them think Nico Collins will regress in 2024. I'm not talking about overall yardage as that could go down with Tank on the field and hopefully another excellent target. I'm just wanting somebody to point out a reason for not paying him. I don't care what he did before 2023 and I don't care what other players have done. What has Nico done to show that he will not repeat in 2024.
Same question concerning Titus Howard. Someone tell me why he will play in 2023. Most people keep saying he will be the starter but have no reason to back it up that I have seen.
 
Yes. I am waiting for someone to tell me what makes them think Nico Collins will regress in 2024. I'm not talking about overall yardage as that could go down with Tank on the field and hopefully another excellent target. I'm just wanting somebody to point out a reason for not paying him. I don't care what he did before 2023 and I don't care what other players have done. What has Nico done to show that he will not repeat in 2024.
Same question concerning Titus Howard. Someone tell me why he will play in 2023. Most people keep saying he will be the starter but have no reason to back it up that I have seen.

Ok I'll bite, my concern isn't Nico himself regressing per say but that teams and defenses will learn how he and CJ operate and be better able to disrupt it. I personally don't think CJ will have a big sophomore slump but fact is teams will learn better how to defend against him. With teams possibly better able to defend against CJ and Collins having to win more of his match ups can he do it? I very much hope he can.

Interesting Caserio was asked and spoke on this very topic:



"Right now we'll focus on the players who are free agents and then once we get through free agency and get a little deeper into the spring, we'll kind of see where we are relative to what our opportunities bring," said Caserio. "You've all seen our openness to a propensity to have discussions at any point, spring, training camp, during the season, mid-season, after the season so we'll see how it all goes."

Good to see that they willing to talk extension with people at anytime which is a nice change from how Texans have done business in the past.
 
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