Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

CeeDee Lamb vs Nico CollinsWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Nico Collins is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.7 PPG to CeeDee Lamb's 12.6 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Nico Collins is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Nico Collins edges CeeDee Lamb by 0.1 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, Nico Collins goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

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

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WRDallas Cowboys#11

CeeDee Lamb

PPG

12.6

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

1,077

Rec TDs

Targets

117

Bye

Week 14

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

CeeDee Lamb

Nico Collins

Head to Head

12.6 PPG12.7 PPG

13 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

CeeDee Lamb: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) WR (ranked #11 at the position). Nico Collins: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) WR (ranked #10 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, CeeDee Lamb is producing at 57% of elite pace and Nico Collins at 58%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

CeeDee Lamb vs Nico Collins: The Full Breakdown

The gap between CeeDee Lamb and Nico Collins is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.1 PPG in 2025, this is one of those wide receiver decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. CeeDee Lamb averaged 12.6 PPG with the Dallas Cowboys across 13 games, and Nico Collins posted 12.7 with the Houston Texans in 15.

When two wide receivers are separated by less than two points per game, the decision shifts to weekly context. Who has the softer defense? Who is trending up over the last month? Which team is projected for more total points? Those are the tiebreakers that actually matter.

Both are workload receivers with similar target shares. CeeDee Lamb turned 117 targets into 1077 yards and 3 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.

CeeDee Lamb has his bye in Week 14, and Nico Collins rests in Week 8. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at wide receiver for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.

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: CeeDee Lamb (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 CeeDee Lamb by a projected 2 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Nico Collins played 15 games in 2025 compared to CeeDee Lamb's 13. That durability gap means Nico Collins 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

CeeDee Lamb vs Nico Collins: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	CeeDee Lamb	Nico Collins
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.6	12.7
Games Played	13	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	164	191
Receptions	75	71
Rec/Game	5.8	4.7
Receiving Yards	1,077	1,117
Rec Yds/Game	82.8	74.5
Receiving TDs	3	6
Targets	117	120
Target Share/Game	9.0	8.0
Age	27	27
Experience	5 yrs	4 yrs
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 8

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Nico Collins holds the PPG edge with serviceable output at 12.7 points per game. CeeDee Lamb averaged 12.6 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start CeeDee Lamb or Nico Collins in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Nico Collins has the edge at 12.7 PPG compared to CeeDee Lamb's 12.6 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 CeeDee Lamb and Nico Collins average in 2025?▾

CeeDee Lamb averaged 12.6 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 13 games in 2025. Nico Collins averaged 12.7 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 0.1 points per game.

When are CeeDee Lamb and Nico Collins's bye weeks in 2026?▾

CeeDee Lamb (DAL) has a bye in Week 14, and Nico Collins (HOU) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is CeeDee Lamb or Nico Collins a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Nico Collins outscored CeeDee Lamb by 0.1 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.