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Nico Collins 2021 Outlook: Waiver Wire Watch List
3 years agoMichigan Wolverine wide receiver Nico Collins was drafted by the Houston Texans in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He flashed at times in college, but mainly suffered at the hands of atrocious quarterback play. This is a situation where I am scouting the athlete, not the film. Collins was first-team All-State as a recruit out of high school and turned down offers from schools such as Alabama and LSU, among others. To put it plainly, this kid can ball. Collins is 6'4," 215 lbs, and profiles as a prototypical outside X receiver. The Texans clearly drafted him to fill that role due to the departure of DeAndre Hopkins. Collins is excellent at using his frame to set up defenders in contested-catch situations, and he is a natural hands catcher. He will step in immediately as the number two option in the receiving game behind Brandin Cooks because Randall Cobb is on his last legs, and Keke Coutee has been disappointing at every turn of his career. If Deshaun Watson were starting, Collins would be a no-brainer late-round pick. Unfortunately, a suspension is likely, which means that Collins will be catching passes from Tyrod Taylor or rookie Davis Mills. Yikes. At this stage, it is best to leave Collins undrafted, but be sure to place him at the top of your waiver wire watch list.
