HOUSTON – The deal has been struck.

The Texans are signing top wide receiver Nico Collins to a three-year, $75 million maximum value deal with a base value of $72.75 million that includes $52 million guaranteed, per a league source.

The deal was negotiated by agents Drew Rosenhaus, Ryan Matha and Jason Rosenhaus.

The Texans recognized the advanced improvement from the imposing wide receiver from Michigan.

And they planned ahead for a future that involves their top downfield threat, something that Collins recently told KPRC 2 he would embrace: an early contract extension now that he’s eligible having complete three years on his rookie deal.

“You really look at your team in sort of two-year increments, so whatever you don’t do this year, that money is going to be used in future years,” Texans general manager Nick Caserio said at the NFL scouting combine. “I’m sure I’ll get a question here very soon about Nico Collins. That’s coming. That could be a player that maybe he’s a part of the future. You’re dealing with the present. You’re focused on the short-term, but part of our responsibility is to kind of think ahead a little bit and just try to make good sound decisions for the team and the organization.”

In the wake of an epic season, the 6-foot-4, 215-pound former All-Big Ten Conference selection from Michigan was entering the final year of a four-year, $4.852 million rookie contract that included a $902,990 signing bonus and a base salary of $1.324 million this year. Under NFL rules, Collins is now eligible for an early contract extension after completing three accredited seasons.

“It means a lot,” Collins told KPRC 2 in May when asked about being earmarked for a potential early deal. “That’s everybody’s dream. To hear that from Nick, man, it means a lot. For me, I just got to continue to keep my head down. Continue to work on my game, continue to improve every day and continue to chase my end goal.

“Whatever man, I’m down for whatever. I’m not saying no to no money. I feel like I keep my head and just keep working and everything is going to come.”

When Texans Pro Bowl quarterback C.J. Stroud breaks the huddle and scans the field, he’ll have an ultra-diverse group of options. Stroud can throw downfield to Collins, his go-to wide receiver last season, along with newly-acquired four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Stefon Diggs, Tank Dell, Dalton Schultz as well as Joe Mixon out of the backfield.

“Oh yeah, it’s going to be dangerous, real dangerous, man,” Collins said during his youth football camp at Houston Christian High School. “Adding Diggs to the room, it’s going to be a lot of weapons. There’s going to be great opportunities for everybody. It’s only adding more depth, more weapons to the offense, more weapons to the team. The sky is the limit for us. Can’t wait until the season is going to start.

“Man, it’s nice. I feel like the offense is a lot of weapons. Everybody has got a chance. When the ball is in their hands, an explosive play is coming. I feel like, for us, we need to continue to work on the details, continue to be us, continue to have fun and show the world what we can do. I can’t wait for it.”

Having Diggs as part of the offense injects a proven threat to an offense that was already loaded even before he was added in a trade from the Buffalo Bills.

Collins played with Diggs in J.J. Watt’s charity softball game and they’re already building chemistry.

“He’s cool,” Collins said. “I met him for the first time when he came in and signed and stuff, but cool peoples. Can’t wait to get on the field with him and share the field with him. It’s a blessing to share the room with him. I can’t wait to join him and get back in this offense and show the world what we’re about.”

“Man, it’s nice, it’s nice I feel like the offense is a lot of weapons. Everybody has got a chance when the ball is in their hands, an explosive play is coming. I feel like for us we need to continue to work on the details, continue to be us, continue to have fun and show the world what we can do. I can’t wait for it.

Collins separated routinely from pass coverage, accelerating behind cornerbacks for touchdown catches during best season.

Wide receiver salaries are skyrocketing, especially for ones with rare traits like Collins.

Collins has run the 40-yard dash in 4.4 seconds.

And he’s coming off a career breakthrough season during which he caught 80 passes for 1,297 yards and eight touchdowns in 15 regular season games. In two playoff games, Collins caught 11 passes for 164 yards and one touchdown with nine first downs on 17 targets.

Collins provided a strong downfield presence for a resurgent Texans team led by quarterback C.J. Stroud and coach DeMeco Ryans as they went from 3-13-1 a year ago to 11-8 overall and winning the AFC South division title.

What’s next?

“Oh yeah, that’s the only way is up,” Collins said. “Can’t go down, can’t backtrack. Got to elevate. That’s my mindset right now.”

“Man, it was amazing, a blessed season,” Collins said. “I did miss a couple of games, but made it out healthy. l did well for the team. I stayed healthy. I balled out. It was a long season, but a fun season. A lot of memories, I’m excited to get back to work and pick up where we left off. Great guys in the locker room, it’s going to be an exciting year.“

“Time to reload and pick up where we left off. It’s definitely a blessing, a great team to be around. I think it’s time. Can’t wait to get everybody back. I feel like we’re on a mission. It’s real. It really is. We can’t wait to be back where we left off. It wasn’t how we wanted to finish. I feel like we’re all locked in, bought in and we want to prove everybody wrong again.”

Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud was convinced, immediately, on sight, about Collins.

It took only a few moments for the Texans’ quarterback to understand the vast talents and attributes of Collins, one of the largest wide receivers in the NFL.

Size. Speed. Strength. Toughness. Hands. Route-running skills. Ability to run after the catch.

Collins has every requisite trait to excel at one of the most difficult positions in the NFL.

And the season Collins manufactured didn’t come as a surprise to Stroud, the strong-armed NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.

“I think he just stamped who he is,” Stroud said. “I told him our first time ever working out together. I said, you’re a superstar. I never even snapped the ball in the league, but I just know good receivers. I played where we have tremendous receivers.