Head to Head

Updated June 5, 2026 from live stats

Deebo Samuel Sr. vs Nico CollinsWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Nico Collins is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.7 PPG to Deebo Samuel Sr.'s 9.5 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Nico Collins is the better fantasy play this season.

Nico Collins has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 3.2-PPG advantage is real (12.7 to 9.5), and Nico Collins's 7 touchdowns show scoring upside. Deebo Samuel Sr. is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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WRWashington Commanders#36

Deebo Samuel Sr.

PPG

9.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

727

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 7

WRHouston Texans#10PPG LEADER

Nico Collins

PPG

12.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

1,117

Rec TDs

Targets

120

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

Deebo Samuel Sr.

Nico Collins

Head to Head

9.5 PPG12.7 PPG

16 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Deebo Samuel Sr.: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #36 at the position). Nico Collins: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) WR (ranked #10 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Deebo Samuel Sr. is producing at 43% of elite pace and Nico Collins at 58%. That ranking gap means Nico Collins carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Deebo Samuel Sr. vs Nico Collins: The Full Breakdown

Deebo Samuel Sr. and Nico Collins are both viable fantasy wide receivers heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Deebo Samuel Sr. averaged 9.5 PPG across 16 games with the Washington Commanders, while Nico Collins posted 12.7 PPG in 15 appearances for the Houston Texans.

A 3.2-PPG gap gives Nico Collins the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.

Both are workload receivers with similar target shares. Deebo Samuel Sr. turned 99 targets into 727 yards and 5 touchdowns, while Nico Collins converted 120 looks into 1117 yards and 6 scores. When target volume is this close, game script and defensive matchup typically decide the weekly winner.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Deebo Samuel Sr. sits Week 7 while Nico Collins is off Week 8. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

If you can acquire Nico Collins at a discount because your league-mates undervalue wide receiver production, do it. Deebo Samuel Sr. is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Deebo Samuel Sr. (age 30) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining. Nico Collins (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Nico Collins outscored Deebo Samuel Sr. by a projected 54 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Deebo Samuel Sr. played 16 games in 2025 compared to Nico Collins's 15. That durability gap means Deebo Samuel Sr. contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Nico Collins scored 7 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.5 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
•Nico Collins saw 120 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Deebo Samuel Sr. vs Nico Collins: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Deebo Samuel Sr.	Nico Collins
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.5	12.7
Games Played	16	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	152	191
Receptions	72	71
Rec/Game	4.5	4.7
Receiving Yards	727	1,117
Rec Yds/Game	45.4	74.5
Receiving TDs	5	6
Targets	99	120
Target Share/Game	6.2	8.0
Age	30	27
Experience	6 yrs	4 yrs
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 8

Summary

Nico Collins outscored Deebo Samuel Sr. by 3.2 PPG in 2025 (12.7 to 9.5). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Deebo Samuel Sr. or Nico Collins in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Nico Collins has the edge at 12.7 PPG compared to Deebo Samuel Sr.'s 9.5 PPG. However, the best start depends on weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status. DraftCall's app provides real-time AI-powered verdicts that factor in all of these variables.

How many fantasy points did Deebo Samuel Sr. and Nico Collins average in 2025?▾

Deebo Samuel Sr. averaged 9.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Nico Collins averaged 12.7 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 3.2 points per game.

When are Deebo Samuel Sr. and Nico Collins's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Deebo Samuel Sr. (WAS) has a bye in Week 7, and Nico Collins (HOU) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Deebo Samuel Sr. or Nico Collins a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Nico Collins outscored Deebo Samuel Sr. by 3.2 PPG in 2025, which gives him the edge heading into 2026. For a week-by-week verdict, DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality and recent trends in real time.