(SportsRadio 610) -- The Texans traded up 20 spots in the 2021 NFL Draft on Friday to select former Michigan wide receiver Nico Collins with the No. 89 overall pick.
To draft Collins, the Texans traded this year's fourth-round pick (109th overall) fifth-round pick (158 overall) and a 2022 fourth-round pick to the Carolina Panthers.
Collins, who measures at 6'4", 215 pounds, offers a big target to whoever ultimately plays quarterback for the Texans. He stood out during Michigan's Pro Day earlier this year, running the 40-yard dash in 4.43 seconds; 6.71 in the three-cone drill and 4.32 short shuttle. Collins bench pressed 225 pounds 14 times, had a 37 1/2-inch vertical leap, 10-5 broad jump and measured with a 78 4/8 wingspan.
Collins opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19 concerns, but he clearly showed the Texans' brass something worth trading up to get.
"I'm physical. I play big. I'm competitive," Collins told Marc Vandermeer, John Harris and Clint Stoerner on Texans Draft Live. "I love the game of football. I'm reliable. I love my teammates. I'm coming in to win."
Earlier in the evening, the Texans drafted former Stanford quarterback Davis Mills with the 67th overall pick.
So both of the first two selections are for playmakers on the offensive side of the ball.
Collins will reunite with current Texans quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator Pep Hamilton, as well as assistant wide receivers coach and offensive assistant Ben McDaniels.
Both coaches worked as assistants at Michigan in Collins' first two seasons with the Wolverines. Hamilton recruited Collins out of high school.
