Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Nico Collins vs Stefon DiggsWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Nico Collins is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.7 PPG to Stefon Diggs's 9.9 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 2.8-PPG advantage is real (12.7 to 9.9), and Nico Collins's 7 touchdowns show scoring upside. Stefon Diggs is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

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

WRNew England Patriots#30

Stefon Diggs

PPG

9.9

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

1,013

Rec TDs

Targets

102

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Nico Collins

Stefon Diggs

Head to Head

12.7 PPG9.9 PPG

15 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Nico Collins: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) WR (ranked #10 at the position). Stefon Diggs: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #30 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Nico Collins is producing at 58% of elite pace and Stefon Diggs at 45%. That ranking gap means Nico Collins carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Nico Collins vs Stefon Diggs: The Full Breakdown

Nico Collins and Stefon Diggs 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 Stefon Diggs posted 9.9 PPG in 17 appearances for the New England Patriots.

A 2.8-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.

Both are workload receivers with similar target shares. Nico Collins turned 120 targets into 1117 yards and 6 touchdowns, while Stefon Diggs converted 102 looks into 1013 yards and 4 scores. When target volume is this close, game script and defensive matchup typically decide the weekly winner.

One scheduling note: Nico Collins is off Week 8 and Stefon Diggs Week 11. 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

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. Stefon Diggs (age 32) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining.

Did You Know?

•Nico Collins outscored Stefon Diggs by a projected 48 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Stefon Diggs played 17 games in 2025 compared to Nico Collins's 15. That durability gap means Stefon Diggs 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.
•Nico Collins is 5 years younger than Stefon Diggs (27 vs 32), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Nico Collins vs Stefon Diggs: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Nico Collins	Stefon Diggs
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.7	9.9
Games Played	15	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	191	168
Receptions	71	85
Rec/Game	4.7	5.0
Receiving Yards	1,117	1,013
Rec Yds/Game	74.5	59.6
Receiving TDs	6	4
Targets	120	102
Target Share/Game	8.0	6.0
Age	27	32
Experience	4 yrs	10 yrs
Bye Week	Week 8	Week 11

Summary

Nico Collins outscored Stefon Diggs by 2.8 PPG in 2025 (12.7 to 9.9). 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 Stefon Diggs in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Nico Collins has the edge at 12.7 PPG compared to Stefon Diggs's 9.9 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 Stefon Diggs average in 2025?▾

Nico Collins averaged 12.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Stefon Diggs averaged 9.9 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 2.8 points per game.

When are Nico Collins and Stefon Diggs's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Nico Collins (HOU) has a bye in Week 8, and Stefon Diggs (NE) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Nico Collins or Stefon Diggs a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Nico Collins outscored Stefon Diggs by 2.8 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.