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Head to Head

Updated from live stats

Nico Collins vs Quentin JohnstonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Nico Collins is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.7 PPG to Quentin Johnston's 11.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Nico Collins is the better fantasy play this season.

Nico Collins has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 1.5-PPG advantage is real (12.7 to 11.2), and Nico Collins's 7 touchdowns show scoring upside. Quentin Johnston is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

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

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WRHouston Texans#10PPG LEADER
Nico Collins
PPG
12.7
Games
15
Rec
71
Rec Yds
1,117
Rec TDs
6
Targets
120
Bye
Week 8
WRLos Angeles Chargers#18
Quentin Johnston
PPG
11.2
Games
13
Rec
51
Rec Yds
735
Rec TDs
8
Targets
84
Bye
Week 7

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Nico Collins
Quentin Johnston

Head to Head

12.7 PPG11.2 PPG
15 GP13 GP
Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Nico Collins: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) WR (ranked #10 at the position). Quentin Johnston: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) WR (ranked #18 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Nico Collins is producing at 58% of elite pace and Quentin Johnston at 51%. That ranking gap means Nico Collins carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Nico Collins vs Quentin Johnston: The Full Breakdown

Nico Collins and Quentin Johnston are both viable fantasy wide receivers heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Nico Collins averaged 12.7 PPG across 15 games with the Houston Texans, while Quentin Johnston posted 11.2 PPG in 13 appearances for the Los Angeles Chargers.

A 1.5-PPG gap gives Nico Collins the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.

Target volume is the story here. Nico Collins saw 120 targets in 2025, while Quentin Johnston drew 84. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for Nico Collins, even in weeks where Quentin Johnston posts the bigger ceiling game. Consistency-minded managers lean toward target share; boom-bust managers chase the upside.

Nico Collins has his bye in Week 8, and Quentin Johnston rests in Week 7. 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: Nico Collins (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Quentin Johnston (age 24) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

  • Nico Collins outscored Quentin Johnston by a projected 26 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Nico Collins played 15 games in 2025 compared to Quentin Johnston's 13. That durability gap means Nico Collins contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Quentin Johnston scored 8 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.6 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

Nico Collins vs Quentin Johnston: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatNico CollinsQuentin Johnston
PPG (Half-PPR)12.711.2
Games Played1513
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)191146
Receptions7151
Rec/Game4.73.9
Receiving Yards1,117735
Rec Yds/Game74.556.5
Receiving TDs68
Targets12084
Target Share/Game8.06.5
Age2724
Experience4 yrs2 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 8Week 7

Summary

Nico Collins outscored Quentin Johnston by 1.5 PPG in 2025 (12.7 to 11.2). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Nico Collins or Quentin Johnston in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Nico Collins has the edge at 12.7 PPG compared to Quentin Johnston's 11.2 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 Nico Collins and Quentin Johnston average in 2025?

Nico Collins averaged 12.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Quentin Johnston averaged 11.2 PPG over 13 games. That is a difference of 1.5 points per game.

When are Nico Collins and Quentin Johnston's bye weeks in 2026?

Nico Collins (HOU) has a bye in Week 8, and Quentin Johnston (LAC) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Nico Collins or Quentin Johnston a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?

Nico Collins outscored Quentin Johnston by 1.5 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.

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