​Would Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins be an All-Pro at this point if not for injuries?Collins, the two-time Pro Bowl Texans’ go-to target, has been a staple of the passing game since being drafted out of Michigan in 2021. Once C.J. Stroud arrived second overall in 2023, things turned the corner for the better for Collins and Houston’s offense.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIn three seasons, Collins has transformed into a consistent 1,000-yard playmaker and one of the league’s best vertical threats. In two of the past three years, he’s totaled over 1,100 receiving yards and featured over four 100-yard games.Truly, injuries have been the one downside to a very promising start to Collins’ career. In all five seasons, the 6-foot-4 receiver has missed at least two games due to some type of injury, including last season because of concussions.So, does that hurt Collins’ case of being a bona fide top target in the NFL among league executives, coaches and personnel members?Not really.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementESPN’s Jeremy Fowler continued his series on ranking the top 10 players at every position, including wide receivers. Collins, who still has two years remaining on his current extension, came in at No. 8 for the second straight year. He did receive several votes inside the top 3, but also was off multiple ballots as a top 10 playmaker.”Combination of size, strength and speed, route running, hands and ball skills,” the executive said. “Can make plays when contested and is physical after the catch.”Fowler said that one executive told him Collins was a type of target that you build from scratch. He’s also one of the league’s most explosive weapons downfield.Last season, nearly a quarter of Collins’ catches went for 20 or more yards. His three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons ties Andre Johnson and DeAndre Hopkins for the longest streak in franchise history. Collins was also tied for second in receptions of 40 or more yards last season with five.”Like Pickens, Collins is a true outside receiver who stretches the field, averaging 15.0 yards per reception over his five-year career,” Fowler wrote. “His drop rate of 1.7% (two drops on 119 targets) ranked seventh among receivers with a minimum of 100 targets last season.”To read the full list, click here. The Texans return to Reliant Stadium for the start of NFL training camp on July 21, with veterans reporting the following week.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThis article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans Pro Bowler Nico Collins viewed as top 10 WR for 2026 by NFL execs, coaches