Nico Collins says facing Browns CB Denzel Ward is 'a great feeling'
Texans receiver Nico Collins praised Browns cornerback Denzel Ward before Week 10, as his targets fall to 6.5 a game against PFF's top-graded corner.
Livefeed News DeskUpdated · 3 min read
Quick answer
Houston Texans receiver Nico Collins said on Thursday he was looking forward to facing Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward, calling it "a great feeling to go against the best in this league". Ward is Pro Football Focus's top-graded cornerback through 10 weeks, while Collins is averaging 6.5 targets a game in 2026.
Key facts
- Collins spoke about the Ward matchup on Thursday to KPRC2's Aaron Wilson.
- Pro Football Focus grades Ward as the NFL's No. 1 cornerback through 10 weeks, at 90.5.
- Ward has three interceptions, two forced fumbles and five Pro Bowl selections in nine seasons.
- Collins averages 6.5 targets, 4.7 catches and 64 yards a game over five games in 2026, with four touchdowns.
- The Browns are 5-4 and rank sixth in the NFL in passing yards allowed (1,809).
What Collins said about Denzel Ward
Nico Collins did not play down the size of his Week 10 assignment. Asked on Thursday about facing Cleveland cornerback Denzel Ward, the Houston Texans receiver told KPRC2's Aaron Wilson: "Look forward to it, man. Denzel, man, been one hell of a player for a long time in this league. Great Pro Bowler, man. Great with his feet, hands, technique."
He added: "It's a great feeling to go against the best in this league, man." Collins also pointed to the rest of the Browns' defensive backs, calling them "One of the best secondaries, great corners, great safeties" and saying he had to "come ready". "Just excited to go against a high-level corner like that," he said.
The #Lions are up big in Germany right now then head back to Detroit to face the #Buccaneers.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) November 15, 2026
Right now, it’s unclear whether they’ll see Baker Mayfield, as sources say he’s dealing with a lower-leg injury suffered against the #Bears https://t.co/PJvIgW0idw
From @NFLGameDay Morning: A look at how and why the #Chiefs acquired WR Josh Downs. pic.twitter.com/cWiDEoV7pT
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How good has Ward been in 2026?
Very. Pro Football Focus has graded Ward as the No. 1 cornerback in the NFL through the first 10 weeks, with a mark of 90.5. He has 26 tackles, two forced fumbles, three interceptions and three pass break-ups, and ranks in the league's top 10 for passer rating allowed (42.5) and yards per reception allowed (7.2).
Ward has made five Pro Bowls in his nine NFL seasons, and Yahoo Sports suggests he could add another by the end of 2026.
Why Collins's numbers are down
Collins has not been the deep threat this season that he was in 2024 and 2025, partly because the ball is reaching him less often. He averaged eight or more targets a game over those two seasons; in the five games he has played in 2026, that figure is 6.5.
He is averaging 4.7 catches and 64 yards a game and has four touchdown receptions. One of those came on 8 November against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium, where he scored in the third quarter.
Cleveland's pass defence
Ward is not the only problem. The Browns, 5-4 so far, rank sixth in the NFL in passing yards allowed (1,809), eighth in passing touchdowns allowed (12) and fifth in net yards per pass attempt (5.6). Their offence has struggled, ranking 29th in total points, so the defence has carried much of their early success.
That makes the game a test for quarterback C.J. Stroud as well as for Collins, according to Yahoo Sports.
Start or sit? Fantasy views differ
Fantasy analysts did not agree on what the matchup means. RotoBaller headlined Collins as "A Strong WR2 in Week 10", while TWSN called him "a Risky Start Against Cleveland" because of his shrinking target share. Only the headlines of those two pieces were available to Livefeed.
Frequently asked questions
What did Nico Collins say about Denzel Ward?
Collins called Ward "one hell of a player for a long time in this league" and said it was "a great feeling to go against the best in this league".
How many targets is Nico Collins getting in 2026?
Collins is averaging 6.5 targets a game across five games in 2026, down from eight or more a game in each of the previous two seasons.
What are Denzel Ward's 2026 stats?
Ward has 26 tackles, two forced fumbles, three interceptions and three pass break-ups, and PFF grades him the NFL's top cornerback at 90.5 through 10 weeks.
What is the Browns' record?
Cleveland was 5-4 heading into the game against Houston.
