Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Nico Collins vs Ricky PearsallWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Nico Collins is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.7 PPG to Ricky Pearsall's 7.8 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. Ricky Pearsall at 7.8 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Nico Collins higher, but do not fade Ricky Pearsall entirely.

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

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WRHouston Texans#10PPG LEADER

Nico Collins

PPG

12.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

1,117

Rec TDs

Targets

120

Bye

Week 8

WRSan Francisco 49ers#52

Ricky Pearsall

PPG

7.8

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

528

Targets

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

Nico Collins

Ricky Pearsall

Head to Head

12.7 PPG7.8 PPG

15 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Nico Collins: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) WR (ranked #10 at the position). Ricky Pearsall: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #52 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Nico Collins is producing at 58% of elite pace and Ricky Pearsall at 35%. That ranking gap means Nico Collins carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Nico Collins vs Ricky Pearsall: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Nico Collins and Ricky Pearsall for your lineup, you are not alone. Nico Collins finished the 2025 season at 12.7 PPG for the Houston Texans (15 games), and Ricky Pearsall averaged 7.8 for the San Francisco 49ers (9 games).

That 4.9-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.

Target volume is the story here. Nico Collins saw 120 targets in 2025, while Ricky Pearsall drew 53. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for Nico Collins, even in weeks where Ricky Pearsall posts the bigger ceiling game. Consistency-minded managers lean toward target share; boom-bust managers chase the upside.

Both share a Week 8 bye, which matters for roster construction. If you are stacking wide receivers this deep on your bench, plan your replacement wide receiver early.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Nico Collins is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Ricky Pearsall is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Nico Collins (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Ricky Pearsall (age 25) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•Nico Collins outscored Ricky Pearsall by a projected 83 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Nico Collins played 15 games in 2025 compared to Ricky Pearsall's 9. That durability gap means Nico Collins contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Nico Collins saw 120 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.
•Both players share a Week 8 bye. If you roster both, you will need a replacement at the position that week.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Nico Collins vs Ricky Pearsall: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Nico Collins	Ricky Pearsall
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.7	7.8
Games Played	15	9
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	191	70
Receptions	71	36
Rec/Game	4.7	4.0
Receiving Yards	1,117	528
Rec Yds/Game	74.5	58.7
Receiving TDs	6	0
Targets	120	53
Target Share/Game	8.0	5.9
Age	27	25
Experience	4 yrs	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 8	Week 8

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Nico Collins at 12.7 PPG, 4.9 points per game above Ricky Pearsall's 7.8. 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 Nico Collins or Ricky Pearsall in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Nico Collins has the edge at 12.7 PPG compared to Ricky Pearsall's 7.8 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 Ricky Pearsall average in 2025?▾

Nico Collins averaged 12.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Ricky Pearsall averaged 7.8 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 4.9 points per game.

Do Nico Collins and Ricky Pearsall share a bye week?▾

Yes, both Nico Collins and Ricky Pearsall share a Week 8 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at wide receiver for that week.

Is Nico Collins or Ricky Pearsall a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Nico Collins outscored Ricky Pearsall by 4.9 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.