Why Nico Collins And Davis Mills Could Be Texans X-Factor In 2022

Nico Collins and Davis Mills' chemistry could be a difference-maker for the Texans' passing attack this fall.

HOUSTON – Practice begins and Houston Texans receiver Nico Collins is getting warmed up on the JUGS machine off to the sideline. By the time 7-on-7 drills are underway, his hands are loose and sticky.

Collins will haul in a 9-yard curl route on one play. The next will be a 15-yard post pattern. And while the 6-4, 215-pound receiver isn’t known to be a vertical threat, he’ll fly down the sidelines in practices for gains of over 20 yards from second-year quarterback Davis Mills.

Those are the plays the Texans expect to see in Year 2 of the Mills era. They want to be more explosive on the outside after finishing 28th in passing last season. Houston already knows what it’s getting from six-time 1,000-yard receiver Brandin Cooks, but offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton isn’t looking for a solo show at the position.

He wants Collins to take the next step as a pass-catcher. The same could be said for Mills at the game’s most crucial position.

“We should be able to feature Nico in situations where it’s man coverage, where he can use his body his size, his God-given ability to make plays,” Hamilton said Wednesday after practice.

Collins, Houston’s third-round pick from 2021, became the team’s de facto No. 2 receiver as a rookie. Cooks was the first option when Mills or former starter Tyrod Taylor looked to throw, but Collins trailed right behind as the second read among receivers.

Good morning from #TexansCamp 😤 @lbg_nico7 pic.twitter.com/bd0bSzjL0E

— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) August 16, 2022

Fans have seen the Mills-to-Collins connection in games before. In Week 14 against the Seattle Seahawks, Mills found the former Michigan receiver on a 30-yard reception, placing Houston inside the red zone.

Not enough proof? Go back and watch Week 18’s matchup against the Tennessee Titans. Mills found Collins working in man coverage against Titans cornerback Kristian Fulton. The two were locked in an arms race for the ball, but the 6-4 frame has some advantages in the open field.

Collins overpowered Fulton on the jump to pick up the first down. He also weaved his way through traffic in the fourth quarter for a gain of 30, leading to an eventual Texans touchdown.

“My first year was like a learning curve, you know, building off that,” Collins said earlier this month. “It’s still an opportunity to work on my game, all around. You know there’s always room for improvement. Everywhere.”

Collins and Mills spent the offseason building their timing to new heights. The duo first met in Mills’ hometown just outside Atlanta, Ga., working on the quarterback’s former high school field. 

Along with several other receivers and quarterbacks, the two also spent a week in Oregon, using the time away from the facility as a team-bonding experience.

“Nico has put in a ton of work all last year and through this offseason,” Mills said. “It shows what he's been doing out here in practice. I think we've definitely developed chemistry, and he's going to be dangerous.”

Texans coach Lovie Smith said that Collins’ frame gives him an advantage against cornerbacks downfield. The first-year head coach also is looking for Collins to step up as a complement to Cooks.

The Texans aren’t looking to be one-dimensional in terms of passing with Cooks as the lone option. Last season, Cooks led the team in targets (134) and receptions (90). Collins finished second in both categories, but his 60 targets and 33 catches showed a substantial dropoff between Houston’s No. 1 receiver and the next player. 

“His talent is off the charts,” Mills said. “We've just got to find ways to get him the ball.”

Derek Stingley vs. Nico Collins pic.twitter.com/YtgrZ3PH6g

— Seth Payne (@SethCPayne) August 10, 2022

Collins, who was recruited and played under Hamilton at Michigan in 2018, has a grasp of the concepts the new coordinator is trying to implement. It gives him the edge over others in the film room and when working reps in practice.

Three weeks have passed since the start of training camp and Mills is fully in sync with Collins. Reps that seemed challenging during their rookie season move like clockwork during 7-on-7 and team drills. On Tuesday, Mills found Collins on an 18-yard comeback, beating cornerback Kendall Sheffield with ease.

Plays like that are working in practice daily. It needs to translate to Sundays if Houston hopes for a more productive year with the passing offense.  

Hamilton said the duo's work this offseason will correlate to gamedays. Mills can see their chemistry flourishing as well.

Said Mills: “When we're on the same page and how we are on the same page, I don't think there's many people out there who can stop him.”

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