Only a year ago, the Houston Texans appeared to have the makings of an unstoppable three-head monster at wide receiver.
Then, Stefon Diggs tore his ACL and missed half the 2024 season before leaving for the New England Patriots in free agency, and Tank Dell likewise suffered an ACL tear while dislocating his knee late in the campaign, an injury the Texans won't rush or put a return timeline on.
With Nico Collins still standing from that group as the only one who will be both healthy and a Texan in Week 1, Houston had to go to work this offseason. The team acquired the reliable Christian Kirk in a trade with the Jaguars and used two Day 2 picks on wideouts from Iowa State -- Jayden Higgins (No. 34 overall) and Jaylin Noel (No. 79).
Collins, now entering his fifth year and coming off two straight 1,000-yard receiving seasons, is suddenly the unquestioned leader in the room; he's both excited and motivated to help fast track his rookie teammates' development.
"It's crazy how time flies," Collins said Saturday at his annual youth football camp, via KPRC 2's Aaron Wilson. "It's a blessing to be in this position, man. It's only right for me to lead by example. I know they're gonna push me, I'm gonna push them. That's the only way we can get better and we're gonna shine on Sundays.
"So, push each other and let them boys know, let the DBs know what's up. I can't wait to join the guys, man. I'm excited to get back with them boys, for sure."
Although operating far removed from the spectacle of last year, when the Texans seemingly won the offseason following a surprise playoff trip under quarterback C.J. Stroud, Houston again has the makings of a productive and versatile WR group.
Kirk, still just 28, knows how to find openings in a defense. He'll be pivotal for Stroud's continued development as long as he stays healthy. Hayden and Higgins, who both finished their collegiate careers eclipsing 1,000 receiving yards with the Cyclones in 2024, already complement each other well and possess the chemistry most rookies are currently looking to find during the offseason program.
The 6-foot-4 Higgins provides a massive target for Stroud capable of beating defenders with 4.47 speed, while the slightly faster 5-10 Noel fills more of the Dell mold.
There's also players still looking to find their footing, such as John Metchie III, and at some point Dell will be ready to return and add his services.
New offensive coordinator Nick Caley should have plenty of pieces to utilize, with offensive improvement a must if the Texans are to break through the Divisional Round ceiling that's plagued them.
Houston took a step back last season but still managed to gut out a second consecutive appearance in an AFC Divisional Round game. Just like the year before, the Texans' season stopped there.
That will serve as fuel -- for Collins, his mentees and the rest of the franchise.
"Yeah, I feel like it's a chip on our shoulders," he said. "We've gotta be hungry every year, that's the mindset. I feel like our locker room is full of dawgs. I feel like we're never satisfied. There's no reason to be satisfied until we get to that goal.
"Fell short, same spot, twice ... so we know the feeling. We know what it takes not to get to the feeling again. Every day, we're head down, one foot in front of the other and we're gonna work every single day."
