Nico Collins
vs Amon-Ra St. Brown

“Jason: Dalton Schultz @ IND Doctor Schultz should be plugged right back into your lineup if Nico Collins misses another game due to a hamstring injury. He posted 12 catches for 140 yards last week against the Bengals, and should continue TE1 production as one of CJ Stroud ’s primary targets. Fantasy Forecast Mark Konezny-Imagn Images LAC @ BUF (BUF-7, O/U 50.5) Andy was tempted to make the Chargers his almost-upset of the week, but the Bills and Chargers have looked too opposite of each other to start the season.”

“Schultz is a must-start as long as Collins remains sidelined. That’s especially true this week against an Indianapolis defense that’s given up over 1,000 yards in two games and just got shredded by Travis Kelce . Beyond that, he appears to be headed for another top-10 fantasy season, something he’s accomplished in five of the last six seasons.”

“Nico Collins is Houston’s unquestioned No. 1 WR — he had the highest true target share, highest route participation and a touchdown on the same drive as his own erased deep shot. Collins commanded a true 12 targets (up from an already team-high 10 official targets) and a 28.6% adjusted target share.”

“Nico Collins – 10 targets, 7 rec Collins is the unquestioned alpha WR in Houston. He set a new career-high with 120 targets last season, and he has yet to play a full 17-game season. If he can stay healthy, he will likely be a target leader all season long.”

“Nico Collins finished eighth amongst all wide receiver options in PPR leagues last season. Collins crossed the goal line on six occasions and hauled in over 70 passes for 1,117 yards.”

“Playing in 15 games last season, Nico Collins had a 21.7% target share, catching 71 passes on 120 targets for 1,117 yards and six touchdowns. This season, Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel have another season under their belt. The Texans’ running game should be better with David Montgomery .”

“Nico Collins is a bona fide stud, and we are hopeful that Jayden Higgins will emerge as a startable fantasy asset this year.”

“A healthy Nico Collins will also be a huge factor, as the connection between those two has consistently elevated Stroud's efficiency and touchdown production since coming into the league.”

“Nico Collins was discussed as a receiver whose combination of physical traits and offensive role keeps him firmly in the upper fantasy conversation. The analysis focused heavily on his ability to command targets while also producing explosive plays. There was a sense throughout the discussion that Collins has moved beyond simply being a breakout candidate and now belongs in the tier of receivers fantasy managers can trust weekly.”

“Brown got off to a quiet start Sunday afternoon, but eventually was thrust into the spotlight, with Detroit trying to fend off New Orleans from pulling a massive upset. The “Sun God” led all Lions receivers with 14 targets, securing 10 receptions for 67 yards and two touchdowns. Even though he operates so close to the LOS, ARSB is a volume-based PPR monster who has one of the highest point floors of any receiver each week.”

“WR1 Amon-Ra St. Brown remains one of the league’s premier receivers, while Detroit’s offensive structure continues to create opportunities through the passing game.”

“I would argue that the safest player to draft is St. Brown. While he isn’t the WR1 in my redraft rankings, St. Brown is the top guy in my guillotine rankings.”

“St. Brown is arguably in the most stable offensive environment in the NFL. He plays 12 games indoors, and Detroit rarely takes the foot off the gas offensively.”

“St. Brown caught 117 receptions for 1,401 yards, and 11 TD’s. The wide receiver for the Lions has played at least 16 games or more in five seasons. Not only are we getting a player that can average 20 or more each week, the reliability is there as well.”

“The Detroit Lions are an interesting case, because everyone is pretty much where they should be: Jahmyr Gibbs is a top-two pick, Amon-Ra St. Brown is a fringe first-rounder, Jameson Williams is a WR2, and Sam LaPorta is a backend TE1 (and Jared Goff goes too late).”

“Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown was voted as the fifth-best receiver in the NFL in a poll by execs and coaches around the league: “Savvy, knack for getting open, plays faster than his timed speed,” an NFL coordinator said.”

“Amon-Ra St. Brown is consistently viewed as a tier above Puka Nacua, Ja'Marr Chase and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. In half-PPR formats, St. Brown has finished as the WR3 for three consecutive seasons.”

“St. Brown has been a paragon of consistency.”

“Perhaps the ceiling gets capped slightly if Jameson Williams trends upwards and Sam LaPorta is healthier, but the Lions were bad last season, and the most important thing is that they might have a competent play-caller once again in Drew Petzing. The team has said they want to lean into what Jared Goff does best by using play-action passes heavily. That would be a bonus for St. Brown, who has consistently led the team in first-read target share on such plays.”

“Amon-Ra St. Brown falling to the turn on Sleeper is one of the biggest values in early drafts. While many drafters chase youth and upside, they are overlooking one of the safest elite assets in fantasy football. St. Brown has delivered elite volume and consistency for three straight seasons, thriving on heavy target share, red-zone usage and his chemistry with Jared Goff.”

“St. Brown is the unquestioned alpha in the passing game, averaging 159 targets during that span. Detroit's offense has been one of the league's best over the last three seasons, and there isn't really a reason to think that will slow down.”