Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Keenan Allen vs Nico CollinsWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Nico Collins is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.7 PPG to Keenan Allen's 8.4 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. Keenan Allen at 8.4 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Nico Collins higher, but do not fade Keenan Allen entirely.

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

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WRLos Angeles Chargers#45

Keenan Allen

PPG

8.4

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

777

Rec TDs

Targets

122

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

Keenan Allen

Nico Collins

Head to Head

8.4 PPG12.7 PPG

17 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Keenan Allen: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #45 at the position). Nico Collins: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) WR (ranked #10 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Keenan Allen is producing at 38% 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.

Keenan Allen vs Nico Collins: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Keenan Allen and Nico Collins for your lineup, you are not alone. Keenan Allen finished the 2025 season at 8.4 PPG for the Los Angeles Chargers (17 games), and Nico Collins averaged 12.7 for the Houston Texans (15 games).

That 4.3-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. Keenan Allen turned 122 targets into 777 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: Keenan Allen is off Week 7 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

Nico Collins is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Keenan Allen is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Keenan Allen (age 34) 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 Keenan Allen by a projected 73 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Keenan Allen played 17 games in 2025 compared to Nico Collins's 15. That durability gap means Keenan Allen 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.
•Keenan Allen saw 122 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.
•Nico Collins is 7 years younger than Keenan Allen (27 vs 34), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Keenan Allen vs Nico Collins: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Keenan Allen	Nico Collins
PPG (Half-PPR)	8.4	12.7
Games Played	17	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	143	191
Receptions	81	71
Rec/Game	4.8	4.7
Receiving Yards	777	1,117
Rec Yds/Game	45.7	74.5
Receiving TDs	4	6
Targets	122	120
Target Share/Game	7.2	8.0
Age	34	27
Experience	12 yrs	4 yrs
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 8

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Nico Collins at 12.7 PPG, 4.3 points per game above Keenan Allen's 8.4. 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 Keenan Allen or Nico Collins in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Nico Collins has the edge at 12.7 PPG compared to Keenan Allen's 8.4 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 Keenan Allen and Nico Collins average in 2025?▾

Keenan Allen averaged 8.4 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 4.3 points per game.

When are Keenan Allen and Nico Collins's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Keenan Allen (LAC) 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 Keenan Allen or Nico Collins a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Nico Collins outscored Keenan Allen by 4.3 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.