Who Should I Start? Deebo Samuel or Nico Collins

Wednesday, May 1, 2:04 PM

The San Francisco 49ers were engaged in trade talks involving wide receivers Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel leading up to the draft, but the team elected not to trade either of their star receivers, with all signs pointing toward both being on the 2024 roster. Aiyuk is entering the final year of his rookie deal, and the assumption was that he'd be the odd man out after the team paid Samuel and other star players. Samuel still has two years left on the deal he signed before the 2022 season. San Fran has been to at least the NFC Championship game in four of the last five seasons, and losing Aiyuk or Samuel would almost certainly make the team worse in 2024. The 49ers can afford to keep both this year, but an Aiyuk extension would likely reduce his $14.124 million salary cap number for 2024. Samuel's fantasy value would have likely taken a hit with a move out of the Bay Area.

Monday, February 26, 2:07 PM

Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins made it known that he'd be open to contract-extension talks if the team approached him. After three seasons in the NFL, Collins is now eligible for an extension. He'll be entering the final year of his four-year, $4.871 million rookie contract in 2024, which includes a $902,990 signing bonus and a base salary of $1.324 million this year. "Oh man, I would love that," Collins said when asked about potentially launching early contract discussions. "That would be great." Coming off a breakthrough 2023 campaign in which he caught 80 passes for 1,297 yards and eight touchdowns in 15 regular-season games, Collins will be in high demands in fantasy drafts this fall while paired with impressive young quarterback C.J. Stroud. In two playoff games, Collins had 11 receptions for 164 yards and a touchdown on 17 targets.