Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Ladd McConkey vs Nico CollinsWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Nico Collins is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.7 PPG to Ladd McConkey's 9.2 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. Ladd McConkey at 9.2 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Nico Collins higher, but do not fade Ladd McConkey entirely.

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

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WRLos Angeles Chargers#38

Ladd McConkey

PPG

9.2

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

789

Rec TDs

Targets

106

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

Ladd McConkey

Nico Collins

Head to Head

9.2 PPG12.7 PPG

16 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Ladd McConkey: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #38 at the position). Nico Collins: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) WR (ranked #10 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Ladd McConkey is producing at 42% 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.

Ladd McConkey vs Nico Collins: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Ladd McConkey and Nico Collins is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver put up 9.2 PPG in 2025 over 16 games; Nico Collins of the Houston Texans averaged 12.7 in 15. A 3.5-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 3.5 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. Ladd McConkey turned 106 targets into 789 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.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Ladd McConkey sits Week 7 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. Ladd McConkey is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Ladd McConkey (age 24) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset. Nico Collins (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Nico Collins outscored Ladd McConkey by a projected 60 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Ladd McConkey played 16 games in 2025 compared to Nico Collins's 15. That durability gap means Ladd McConkey 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

Ladd McConkey vs Nico Collins: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Ladd McConkey	Nico Collins
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.2	12.7
Games Played	16	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	147	191
Receptions	66	71
Rec/Game	4.1	4.7
Receiving Yards	789	1,117
Rec Yds/Game	49.3	74.5
Receiving TDs	6	6
Targets	106	120
Target Share/Game	6.6	8.0
Age	24	27
Experience	1 yrs	4 yrs
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 8

Summary

12.7 PPG for Nico Collins versus 9.2 for Ladd McConkey 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 Ladd McConkey or Nico Collins in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Nico Collins has the edge at 12.7 PPG compared to Ladd McConkey's 9.2 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 Ladd McConkey and Nico Collins average in 2025?▾

Ladd McConkey averaged 9.2 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 3.5 points per game.

When are Ladd McConkey and Nico Collins's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Ladd McConkey (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 Ladd McConkey or Nico Collins a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Nico Collins outscored Ladd McConkey by 3.5 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.