Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Jaylen Waddle vs Nico CollinsWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Nico Collins is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.7 PPG to Jaylen Waddle's 10.1 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. Jaylen Waddle at 10.1 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Nico Collins higher, but do not fade Jaylen Waddle entirely.

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

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WRMiami Dolphins#29

Jaylen Waddle

PPG

10.1

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

910

Rec TDs

Targets

100

Bye

Week 6

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

Jaylen Waddle

Nico Collins

Head to Head

10.1 PPG12.7 PPG

16 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Jaylen Waddle: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #29 at the position). Nico Collins: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) WR (ranked #10 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Jaylen Waddle is producing at 46% 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.

Jaylen Waddle vs Nico Collins: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Jaylen Waddle and Nico Collins is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Miami Dolphins wide receiver put up 10.1 PPG in 2025 over 16 games; Nico Collins of the Houston Texans averaged 12.7 in 15. A 2.6-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 2.6 points favors Nico Collins, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one wide receiver to the other.

Both are workload receivers with similar target shares. Jaylen Waddle turned 100 targets into 910 yards and 6 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.

Jaylen Waddle has his bye in Week 6, 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: Jaylen Waddle (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 Jaylen Waddle by a projected 44 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jaylen Waddle played 16 games in 2025 compared to Nico Collins's 15. That durability gap means Jaylen Waddle 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

Jaylen Waddle vs Nico Collins: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Jaylen Waddle	Nico Collins
PPG (Half-PPR)	10.1	12.7
Games Played	16	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	162	191
Receptions	64	71
Rec/Game	4.0	4.7
Receiving Yards	910	1,117
Rec Yds/Game	56.9	74.5
Receiving TDs	6	6
Targets	100	120
Target Share/Game	6.3	8.0
Age	27	27
Experience	4 yrs	4 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 8

Summary

12.7 PPG for Nico Collins versus 10.1 for Jaylen Waddle in 2025. The baseline favors Nico Collins, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Jaylen Waddle or Nico Collins in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Nico Collins has the edge at 12.7 PPG compared to Jaylen Waddle's 10.1 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 Jaylen Waddle and Nico Collins average in 2025?▾

Jaylen Waddle averaged 10.1 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 2.6 points per game.

When are Jaylen Waddle and Nico Collins's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Jaylen Waddle (MIA) has a bye in Week 6, and Nico Collins (HOU) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Jaylen Waddle or Nico Collins a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Nico Collins outscored Jaylen Waddle by 2.6 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.