Nico Collins 2026 fantasy outlook and rest-of-season projection
- Age
- 27
- Height / weight
- 6'4", 222 lb
- Experience
- 6th season
- Drafted
- 2021 R3, #89
2026 Season
- PPR PPG
- 21.2
- Pos rank
- WR63
- Rostered
- 99%
Week 4 vs. Cowboys, Sun Oct 4, 1:00 PM ET 17th vs. WRs, neutral
Nico Collins Rest-of-Season Outlook
Efficient depth WR for deep leagues only
Preseason Projection vs. Reality
He finished WR8 last season at 15.1 points per game.
Our Take After Week 4
Through 1 game he's WR63 at 21.2 PPR points per game, against 15.1 over 15 games last season (WR8). He's running ahead of last season's pace.
Last season he ranked 15th of 142 in target volume (21.7% target share), 15th of 142 in downfield role (32.1% air-yards share) and 11th of 142 in efficiency (2.48 yards per route run). His points come from his efficiency. C.J. Stroud is his quarterback.
The main risk is the job itself. He's the listed starter with Jared Wayne next on the depth chart, and a benching or an injury would take his value to zero overnight.
The next favorable matchup is the Giants in Week 7 (8th against WRs).
Read our preseason outlook (June 2026)
Published June 17, 2026. Kept for reference; the take above replaces it.
Collins remains one of the most efficient high-volume receivers in football, and 2025 reinforced his alpha status: 15 games, a 21.7 percent target share, 120 targets, 71 catches for 1,117 yards and 6 scores, 155.2 fantasy points and a WR8 finish by our rank. His 2.48 yards per route and 0.55 WOPR confirm he is the unquestioned focal point in Houston, while a microscopic 0.8 percent drop rate (one drop on 72 catchable balls) shows elite hands.
The only knock is touchdown variance and quarterback play: he scored 8 in 2023 and just 6 in 2025 despite more targets, and his 180.4-point WR8 ceiling in 2023 shows the upside when everything clicks. Three straight seasons at or near top-20 production, with two top-10 finishes, make him a remarkably stable foundation piece. Draft him confidently as a back-end WR1 and locked weekly starter, with legitimate top-five upside if the touchdowns and target volume both peak together.
What Drives His Outlook
His 2025 rank among the 142 receivers who played at least six games. Each bar is one receiver, best on the left; his is highlighted.
Target volume
Downfield role
Efficiency
- Average depth of target
- 12.7
- Drop rate
- 0.8%
- Red-zone targets
- 18
- Route participation
- 73.9%
- YAC per reception
- 4.6
What Could Change His Value
Upside
- A soft spotThe Giants in Week 7 is a top-10 matchup for WRs.Wk 4 DAL, 17thWk 5 TEN, 14thWk 6 JAX, 18thWk 7 NYG, 8th
- Heavy target volume21.7% target share, 15th of 142 WRs in 2025.
- Downfield role32.1% air-yards share, 15th of 142 WRs in 2025.
Risk
- Job securityJared Wayne is next on the depth chart; a benching or injury hands him the job.
All Nico Collins stats & analysis
WRs like Nico Collins
Nico Collins Fantasy Outlook FAQ
What is Nico Collins's fantasy outlook for the rest of the 2026 season?
Nico Collins projects as an efficient depth WR for deep leagues only for the rest of the 2026 season: waiver-wire material in 12-team PPR, 10-team PPR and half-PPR leagues. His efficiency (2.48 yards per route run, 11th of 142 WRs in 2025) supports that. See his live rank in Redraft Command.
What is Nico Collins's rest-of-season fantasy ranking?
Nico Collins is the WR63 in PPR points per game through Week 4. That puts him in depth WR territory, waiver-wire material in 10-team PPR leagues.
What is Nico Collins's projected role going forward?
Nico Collins is the listed starting WR, with Jared Wayne next on the depth chart. Nothing on the chart threatens the job, so the role is his to lose on performance.
What is Nico Collins's fantasy football upside?
Nico Collins's upside: his ceiling this season is 21.2 PPR points (Week 1, WR8), his efficiency (2.48 yards per route run, 11th of 142 WRs in 2025) gives him a weekly floor to build on and the Giants in Week 7 is a top-10 matchup for WRs.
What could hurt Nico Collins's fantasy value?
Nico Collins's risks: Jared Wayne is next on the depth chart if he is benched or hurt. See his injury status and history.
How difficult is Nico Collins's remaining fantasy schedule?
Favorable: of his next seven games, 2 come against a top-10 matchup for WRs and 0 against one of the stingiest defenses, by PPR points allowed to the position.