Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Nico Collins vs Tetairoa McMillanWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Nico Collins is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.7 PPG to Tetairoa McMillan's 10.5 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. Tetairoa McMillan at 10.5 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Nico Collins higher, but do not fade Tetairoa McMillan 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

WRCarolina Panthers#26

Tetairoa McMillan

PPG

10.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

1,014

Rec TDs

Targets

122

Bye

Week 5

The Edge Chart

Nico Collins

Tetairoa McMillan

Head to Head

12.7 PPG10.5 PPG

15 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 5

Fantasy Tiers

Nico Collins: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) WR (ranked #10 at the position). Tetairoa McMillan: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #26 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Nico Collins is producing at 58% of elite pace and Tetairoa McMillan at 48%. That ranking gap means Nico Collins carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Nico Collins vs Tetairoa McMillan: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Nico Collins and Tetairoa McMillan for your lineup, you are not alone. Nico Collins finished the 2025 season at 12.7 PPG for the Houston Texans (15 games), and Tetairoa McMillan averaged 10.5 for the Carolina Panthers (17 games).

That 2.2-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. Nico Collins turned 120 targets into 1117 yards and 6 touchdowns, while Tetairoa McMillan converted 122 looks into 1014 yards and 7 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 Tetairoa McMillan Week 5. 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. Tetairoa McMillan (age 23) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•Nico Collins outscored Tetairoa McMillan by a projected 37 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Tetairoa McMillan played 17 games in 2025 compared to Nico Collins's 15. That durability gap means Tetairoa McMillan 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.
•Tetairoa McMillan saw 122 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.
•Tetairoa McMillan is 4 years younger than Nico Collins (23 vs 27), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Nico Collins vs Tetairoa McMillan: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Nico Collins	Tetairoa McMillan
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.7	10.5
Games Played	15	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	191	179
Receptions	71	70
Rec/Game	4.7	4.1
Receiving Yards	1,117	1,014
Rec Yds/Game	74.5	59.6
Receiving TDs	6	7
Targets	120	122
Target Share/Game	8.0	7.2
Age	27	23
Experience	4 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 8	Week 5

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Nico Collins at 12.7 PPG, 2.2 points per game above Tetairoa McMillan's 10.5. 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 Tetairoa McMillan in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Nico Collins has the edge at 12.7 PPG compared to Tetairoa McMillan's 10.5 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 Tetairoa McMillan average in 2025?▾

Nico Collins averaged 12.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Tetairoa McMillan averaged 10.5 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 2.2 points per game.

When are Nico Collins and Tetairoa McMillan's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Nico Collins (HOU) has a bye in Week 8, and Tetairoa McMillan (CAR) has a bye in Week 5. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Nico Collins or Tetairoa McMillan a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Nico Collins outscored Tetairoa McMillan by 2.2 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.