Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

DeVonta Smith vs Nico CollinsWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Nico Collins is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.7 PPG to DeVonta Smith's 9.6 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. DeVonta Smith at 9.6 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Nico Collins higher, but do not fade DeVonta Smith entirely.

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

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WRPhiladelphia Eagles#34

DeVonta Smith

PPG

9.6

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

1,008

Rec TDs

Targets

113

Bye

Week 10

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

DeVonta Smith

Nico Collins

Head to Head

9.6 PPG12.7 PPG

17 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

DeVonta Smith: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #34 at the position). Nico Collins: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) WR (ranked #10 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, DeVonta Smith is producing at 44% 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.

DeVonta Smith vs Nico Collins: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between DeVonta Smith and Nico Collins for your lineup, you are not alone. DeVonta Smith finished the 2025 season at 9.6 PPG for the Philadelphia Eagles (17 games), and Nico Collins averaged 12.7 for the Houston Texans (15 games).

That 3.1-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. DeVonta Smith turned 113 targets into 1008 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.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: DeVonta Smith sits Week 10 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

Nico Collins is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. DeVonta Smith is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: DeVonta Smith (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 DeVonta Smith by a projected 53 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•DeVonta Smith played 17 games in 2025 compared to Nico Collins's 15. That durability gap means DeVonta Smith 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

DeVonta Smith vs Nico Collins: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	DeVonta Smith	Nico Collins
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.6	12.7
Games Played	17	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	163	191
Receptions	77	71
Rec/Game	4.5	4.7
Receiving Yards	1,008	1,117
Rec Yds/Game	59.3	74.5
Receiving TDs	4	6
Targets	113	120
Target Share/Game	6.6	8.0
Age	27	27
Experience	4 yrs	4 yrs
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 8

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Nico Collins at 12.7 PPG, 3.1 points per game above DeVonta Smith's 9.6. 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 DeVonta Smith or Nico Collins in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Nico Collins has the edge at 12.7 PPG compared to DeVonta Smith's 9.6 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 DeVonta Smith and Nico Collins average in 2025?▾

DeVonta Smith averaged 9.6 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Nico Collins averaged 12.7 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 3.1 points per game.

When are DeVonta Smith and Nico Collins's bye weeks in 2026?▾

DeVonta Smith (PHI) has a bye in Week 10, and Nico Collins (HOU) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is DeVonta Smith or Nico Collins a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Nico Collins outscored DeVonta Smith by 3.1 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.