Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Nico Collins vs Troy FranklinWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Nico Collins is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.7 PPG to Troy Franklin's 8.5 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 4.2-PPG advantage is real (12.7 to 8.5), and Nico Collins's 7 touchdowns show scoring upside. Troy Franklin 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.

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track Nico Collins and Troy Franklin in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App

WRHouston Texans#10PPG LEADER

Nico Collins

PPG

12.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

1,117

Rec TDs

Targets

120

Bye

Week 8

WRDenver Broncos#44

Troy Franklin

PPG

8.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

709

Rec TDs

Targets

104

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

Nico Collins

Troy Franklin

Head to Head

12.7 PPG8.5 PPG

15 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Nico Collins: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) WR (ranked #10 at the position). Troy Franklin: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #44 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Nico Collins is producing at 58% of elite pace and Troy Franklin at 39%. That ranking gap means Nico Collins carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Nico Collins vs Troy Franklin: The Full Breakdown

Two wide receivers who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. Nico Collins (Houston Texans) finished the 2025 season averaging 12.7 fantasy points per game in 15 games. Troy Franklin (Denver Broncos) came in at 8.5 PPG over 17 games. The gap is real but not insurmountable with the right matchup.

Nico Collins carries a 4.2-point PPG advantage from the 2025 season. That baseline matters, but it is one input among several. Matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and injury reports move the needle week to week, which is why the best answer changes depending on when you are asking.

Both are workload receivers with similar target shares. Nico Collins turned 120 targets into 1117 yards and 6 touchdowns, while Troy Franklin converted 104 looks into 709 yards and 6 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 Troy Franklin Week 10. 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

If you can acquire Nico Collins at a discount because your league-mates undervalue wide receiver production, do it. Troy Franklin is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Nico Collins (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Troy Franklin (age 23) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•Nico Collins outscored Troy Franklin by a projected 71 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Troy Franklin played 17 games in 2025 compared to Nico Collins's 15. That durability gap means Troy Franklin 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.
•Troy Franklin is 4 years younger than Nico Collins (23 vs 27), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Nico Collins vs Troy Franklin: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Nico Collins	Troy Franklin
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.7	8.5
Games Played	15	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	191	145
Receptions	71	65
Rec/Game	4.7	3.8
Receiving Yards	1,117	709
Rec Yds/Game	74.5	41.7
Receiving TDs	6	6
Targets	120	104
Target Share/Game	8.0	6.1
Age	27	23
Experience	4 yrs	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 8	Week 10

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Nico Collins holds the PPG edge with serviceable output at 12.7 points per game. Troy Franklin averaged 8.5 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on Nico Collins vs Troy Franklin

DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality, recent trends, injury impact, and game script to give you a clear start/sit recommendation.

See everything in the app →

Launch List

Get the live verdict on Nico Collins vs Troy Franklin

The DraftCall app delivers live game-day verdicts on every matchup. Join the launch list and we will email you the day it goes live for the 2026 NFL season, with your direct iOS and Android install links.

We will never share your email. Unsubscribe anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Nico Collins or Troy Franklin in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Nico Collins has the edge at 12.7 PPG compared to Troy Franklin's 8.5 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 Troy Franklin average in 2025?▾

Nico Collins averaged 12.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Troy Franklin averaged 8.5 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 4.2 points per game.

When are Nico Collins and Troy Franklin's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Nico Collins (HOU) has a bye in Week 8, and Troy Franklin (DEN) has a bye in Week 10. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Nico Collins or Troy Franklin a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Nico Collins outscored Troy Franklin by 4.2 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.