Texans' Collins a 'strong' 'Ride or Die' candidate
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USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
NFL Top 100: Houston Texans WR Nico Collins is No.32, will face Arizona Cardinals in 2025
Texans WR Nico Collins is yet another player from the 'NFL Top 100' the Cardinals will face in 2025. The NFL continues to reveal players in the yearly offseason "NFL Top 100." Three Arizona Cardinals players made the list, with linebacker Josh Sweat at No. 95, tight end Trey McBride at No. 65 and safety Budda Baker at No. 34, making the list for the sixth straight year. Several players the Cardinals will face in 2025 continue to be revealed. Last week, in revealing players Nos. 31-40, No. 32 is someone the Cardinals will face in 2025. Player No. 32 is Houston Texans receiver Nico Collins. He was not in the top 100 last year. Indianapolis Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin said that Collins is "special" and "the real deal." He is big, physical and moves well. He is great after the catch, and cornerback Derek Stingley, his teammate, said he is nearly impossible to beat one-on-one. He made the top 100 despite missing five games in 2024. In 12 games, he caught 68 passes for 1,006 yards and seven touchdowns, his second consecutive 1,000-yard season. He is an unlikely receiver star. He was just a third-round pick in 2021 and did not crack 500 yards in either of his first two seasons. He exploded in 2023 with 1,297 yards in 15 games and has flourished with quarterback C.J. Stroud. He has faced the Cardinals twice in his career. He has nine catches for 93 yards in those two games, including seven catches for 65 yards in 2023. He will have a chance to do more damage against the Cardinals late in the season. The Cardinals face the Texans on the road in Week 15 as part of the final six-game stretch with four games against 2024 division winners and two teams that were in the playoff race down to the final week. Collins hasn't scored yet against the Cardinals. Can they keep him out of the end zone again? 'NFL Top 100' opponents for Cardinals in 2025 Of the players in the top 100 revealed as of this week, the Cardinals face the following: Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
'He's going to be great in this league': Texans QB C.J. Stroud praises rookie Tay Ersery
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud might have been the star of a 20-3 victory over the Carolina Panthers, but he wasn't the talking point in pressers following the game. Stroud, who completed 6 of 8 pass attempts for 44 yards, capped off with a 6-yard touchdown pass to Nico Collins, made sure to thank his offensive line for quality protection during the afternoon. In 25 snaps, the unit allowed just one pressure and zero sacks, culminating in a scoring drive before the end of the first quarter. While there are five players, Stroud made sure to credit rookie offensive tackle Aireontae Ersery for his work ethic on learning two positions at the same time throughout camp. The second-round pick was expected to be the starting right tackle, but after Cam Robinson suffered an injury at The Greenbrier, a shift back to left tackle was necessary. His attitude and adaptability caught Stroud's attention in camp, but his detail of improving has helped improve the team's overall chemistry. "Tae has one of the best mindsets I've seen from a rookie in my couple years in the league. He texted me the night he got drafted. I texted him and I was like, 'Hey, excited to have you on the team,' and he said 'I'm going to die on the O-line for you," Stroud said Saturday. "I'm going to die out there.' I was like, 'all right. I appreciate you saying that.' That's just his mindset. He wants to be great." A former Big Ten offensive lineman of the year, Ersery has the right mindset to help transform Houston's offensive line for the better, which needs change after Stroud was sacked 52 times in the 2024 season. One benefactor for Ersery's growth are his first-team reps in practice. Most rookies aren't going up against two All-Pro talents in Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. daily. In practice, it looks like a loss because of how developed the two defensive ends are, but Stroud views it as a win in live games. "When he faces other guys, it's kind of easy, but he still keeps up the same tenacity and that same work ethic," Stroud said. "Very mature guy, loves football, loves his teammates, and I think he's going to be great in this league.' The Texans hit the road on Wednesday for a joint practice with the Detroit Lions ahead of Saturday's preseason finale. This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans QB C.J. Stroud praises rookie OT Aireontae Ersery's mindset
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Yahoo
Will Henderson 'hype' cause early round selection?
Matthew Berry, Jay Croucher and Connor Rogers analyze rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson's preseason performances for the Patriots, highlighting if the "hype" around him is worth an early round pick in fantasy.
