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Houston Texans anchor defensive line, re-sign Maliek Collins for two more years

By Aarron Van Buren

Sep 12, 2021; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans defensive tackle Maliek Collins (97) applies defensive pressure against Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) during the game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 12, 2021; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans defensive tackle Maliek Collins (97) applies defensive pressure against Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) during the game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Houston Texans just re-signed one of their best and biggest-named free agents in Maliek Collins.

Being one of the best defensive linemen on the Houston Texans roster last season, Maliek Collins is getting rewarded with a two-year contract extension. Ian Rapoport is reporting that the extension is worth $17M that includes $8.5 million guaranteed.

Collins in 2021 had the following stats:

  • 29 total tackles (18 solo)
  • 2.5 sacks
  • one interception

What should be noted is that Collins only played in 15 games and played 61 percent of his snaps on defense, with 19 percent on special teams as well. Lovie Smith may have had something to do with Collins sticking around. Remember that Smith referenced that any defensive lineman would love to play in his “defensive linemen-friendly” scheme at the NFL combine.

Houston Texans are setting up the defense to excel in 2022

Collins is the top defensive lineman on the team after Nick Caserio traded Charles Omenihu to the San Francisco 49ers before the trade deadline. What makes this more interesting is if Houston selects Kayvon Thibodeaux with the third overall pick. Thibodeaux has gone on record to say that he wants to go to Houston to play for Smith and that he would be “Jadeveon Clowney 2.0.”

That would be the much safer pick than safety Kyle Hamilton from Notre Dame. The trenches for the Houston Texans have been in disrepair for quite some time, and they need to be the focus of the early rounds of the draft.

More moves are contingent upon the trading of Deshaun Watson, as that would free up a big part of Houston’s cap space to work with. Here’s to Collins for a job well done and more wins in the trenches on Sundays.

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