PFF believes Texans have a top-three QB-WR duo in 2025 with C.J. Stroud and Nico Collins
PFF believes Texans have a top-three QB-WR duo in 2025 with C.J. Stroud and Nico Collins
Nico Collins is regarded as a consensus top 10 receiver and the go-to target for the Houston Texans' passing game.
C.J. Stroud might have had his slumps at times in 2024, but he's still a rising standout entering Year 3.
Combined, where does the duo rank among QB-WR tandems for the 2025? According to Pro Football Focus, the back-to-back AFC South champions may feature an elite combination in the passing game that could take the league by storm this fall.
PFF recently ranked every team's top QB/WR/TE duo entering the upcoming season. To no surprise, Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase led the way after leading the league in passing and receiving yards last season. At No. 2, Jalen Hurts and A.J. Brown catapulted several duos following their route to winning a Super Bowl over the Kansas City Chiefs in New Orleans.
At No. 3? Collins and Stroud cemented themseleves as the next great duo and could be coming for the second spot if both can stay healthy.
"Stroud's 2024 campaign was largely the same as his rookie year in terms of PFF grade (80.4 PFF passing grade in 2023 compared to 77.5 in 2024), and Nico Collins has been his safety blanket," PFF's Trevor Sikkema wrote. "Collins has generated a 117.8 passer rating when targeted over the past two seasons with Stroud, which ranks sixth in the NFL."
Collins, who signed a three-year extension ahead of the 2024 season, was well on his way to leading the league in receptions and receiving yards before a hamstring injury sidelined him for five games. He still managed to finish with over 1,000 receiving yards and seven touchdowns while leading Houston in every category.
Part of Stroud's "sophomore slump" was caused by the lack of consistent weapons. Collins wasn't the only receiver to miss multiple games, leaving the 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year out to dry. Tank Dell missed three games and likely won't return in 2025 after undergoing multiple leg surgeries. Pro Bowler Stefon Diggs was out after eight games because of a torn ACL.
Stroud looks to be the next big name and a consensus top-seven quarterback beyond this season. Collins could become an elite playmaker and find his name alongside Chase, Justin Jefferson and Brown in the future.
PFF might not be sold that Stroud is ready to be considered "elite" but the publication knows Houston has something cooking in the passing game this fall.
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