Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Amari Cooper vs Nico CollinsWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Nico Collins is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.7 PPG to Amari Cooper's 11.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Nico Collins is the better fantasy play this season.

Nico Collins is the better play on a neutral week. 12.7 PPG with 1,132 yards gives a reliable baseline. Amari Cooper at 11.2 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Nico Collins higher, but do not fade Amari Cooper entirely.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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WRBuffalo Bills#99

Amari Cooper

PPG

11.2

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

782

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 12

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

Amari Cooper

Nico Collins

Head to Head

11.2 PPG12.7 PPG

16 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 12Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Amari Cooper: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #99 at the position). Nico Collins: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) WR (ranked #10 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Amari Cooper is producing at 51% 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.

Amari Cooper vs Nico Collins: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Amari Cooper and Nico Collins for your lineup, you are not alone. Amari Cooper finished the 2025 season at 11.2 PPG for the Buffalo Bills (16 games), and Nico Collins averaged 12.7 for the Houston Texans (15 games).

That 1.5-point weekly advantage for Nico Collins is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.

Both are workload receivers with similar target shares. Amari Cooper turned 95 targets into 782 yards and 4 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.

One scheduling note: Amari Cooper is off Week 12 and Nico Collins Week 8. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in wide receiver for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Both are in a similar trade value range. A straight swap would be fair in most leagues, with the tiebreaker going to whichever manager values schedule or bye week more. Dynasty outlook: Amari Cooper (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Nico Collins (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Nico Collins outscored Amari Cooper by a projected 26 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Amari Cooper played 16 games in 2025 compared to Nico Collins's 15. That durability gap means Amari Cooper 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

Amari Cooper vs Nico Collins: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Amari Cooper	Nico Collins
PPG (Half-PPR)	11.2	12.7
Games Played	16	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	179	191
Receptions	65	71
Rec/Game	4.1	4.7
Receiving Yards	782	1,117
Rec Yds/Game	48.9	74.5
Receiving TDs	4	6
Targets	95	120
Target Share/Game	5.9	8.0
Age	-	27
Experience	-	4 yrs
Bye Week	Week 12	Week 8

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Nico Collins at 12.7 PPG, 1.5 points per game above Amari Cooper's 11.2. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Amari Cooper or Nico Collins in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Nico Collins has the edge at 12.7 PPG compared to Amari Cooper's 11.2 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 Amari Cooper and Nico Collins average in 2025?▾

Amari Cooper averaged 11.2 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 1.5 points per game.

When are Amari Cooper and Nico Collins's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Amari Cooper (BUF) has a bye in Week 12, and Nico Collins (HOU) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Amari Cooper or Nico Collins a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Nico Collins outscored Amari Cooper by 1.5 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.