Nico Collins vs Jaxon Smith-Njigba

“Starting WR/WR with Drake London or Nico Collins in round two could let you lean into Zero RB with an elite tight end such as Brock Bowers or Trey McBride .”

“Alec Pierce, Nico Collins – 3.7 How to support a QB on a rookie deal ( Drake Maye ):”

“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.”

“At worst, Collins profiles as a reliable fantasy WR1/WR2 hybrid with one of the strongest WR efficiency profiles in the NFL.”

“Nico Collins continued his run as Houston's unquestioned WR1 in 2025, posting his third 1,000-yard season in the last four years while finishing as a top-10 fantasy receiver once again. Despite battling injuries, Collins remained highly efficient and continued to dominate targets and red-zone usage in the Texans offense.”

“The Texans have a lot of passing game weapons, but outside of Schultz and Nico Collins, none of them are very good at all.”

“On the flip side, what if you have Nico and got a value on Jacobs (as his ADP free-falls thanks to off-field issues)? Montgomery would make more sense there for the stack-and-run back correlation.”

“Nico Collins' ADP is essentially one round behind his ECR in a 12-team league, with a 66% gap between his ADP and ECR that trails only Ja'Marr Chase. Although he has been "just" a back-end fantasy WR1 over the last two years, the 27-year-old is a genuine top-tier talent at the position, ranking seventh, second and fifth among qualified receivers in Pro Football Focus receiving grade over the last three seasons.”

“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.”

“Top cap hit: Nico Collins, $14,939,529 (4.96 percent)”

“Houston will head into training camp later this month with back-to-back Pro Bowler Nico Collins continuing to lead its receiving corps. Stroud has formed a strong connection with Collins, a 1,000-yard receiver three years in a row.”

“Shaheed should enter 2026 as Seattle’s clear WR2 behind Jaxon Smith-Njigba, although target competition and the team’s run-heavy tendencies could make him more boom-or-bust week to week.”

“Jaxon Smith-Njigba is coming off a season in which he had 35.8% of the Seahawks' targets and 50% of the team’s air yards He also led the league in receiving yards.”

“It was a truly special year for Jaxon Smith-Njigba , who led the league in receiving yards (1,793) and helped the Seahawks reach the Super Bowl. He also scored 10 touchdowns and was targeted a whopping 163 times (119 receptions).”

“Smith-Njigba broke out in the second half of the 2024 season, leading to a top-15 ranking last year. However, he was far better, ending the season as the WR2, averaging 21.2 PPR fantasy points per game, leading the NFL with 1,793 receiving yards despite playing on a run-first offense.”

“He was also 5th in target share (28%), 11th in air yards share (35%), and 4th in yards per route run behind Puka Nacua , Jaxon Smith-Njigba , and Luther Burden III .”

“Fantasy Football Research & Advice Fantasy Football Expert Rankings 2026 Fantasy Football Draft Kit Fantasy Football Trade Analyzer Fantasy Football Draft Strategy: Pick 1.04 Players to Consider at 1.04 Fantasy Football Draft Pick These players will likely be available when you make your selection: Ja’Marr Chase (WR – CIN) Puka Nacua (WR – LAR) Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR – SEA) Christian McCaffrey (RB – SF) It’s fair to assume at least one of Bijan Robinson or Jahmyr Gibbs will be gone, if not both, as they’re the consensus top two picks.”

“It was a truly special year for Jaxon Smith-Njigba, leading the league in receiving yards and helping the Seahawks to a Super Bowl. The only cause for concern is Klint Kubiak, the former offensive coordinator, moving to become the Head Coach of the New Orleans Saints and a potential dip in efficiency from Sam Darnold .”

“Like Nacua, Smith-Njigba ranked outside the top 20 wide receivers in total routes run, at just 495 despite perfect health. Seattle was a run-first team by choice last year, but they also played a lot of un-competitive 2nd halves — at times induced by a Smith-Njigba eruption. I could see the team’s PROE rising given the changeover in their backfield, and could especially see the actual pass rate rise if the team plays more competitive games.”

“WR5 in expected PPG last year (17.4), just ahead of Jaxon Smith-Njigba (17.2) Most combined red-zone + downfield (15+ yard) targets per game in 2025: 1”

“Perhaps waiting to take Darnold for the stack with Jaxon Smith-Njigba in the final round may have been wiser.”

“Flowers’ draft classmate, Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba , reset the market at over $42 million a year this offseason.”

“Jaxon Smith-Njigba proved last season that he is one of the best receivers in the league. He is a true No. 1 weapon, finishing with 1,700+ receiving yards and 10 touchdowns, nearly tripling the next-closest player on the team.”