Who Should I Start? DK Metcalf or Nico Collins

Monday, January 12, 2:36 PM

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf returns from his two-game suspension, and on Monday night, he faces a Texans defense that finished the regular season as the fourth most difficult matchup for fantasy wide receivers. On average, the Texans held opposing wide receiver rooms 4.4 points below their season-long average in half-PPR formats. With Metcalf the only true outside threat on the Steelers' roster, he is likely to see a fair share of coverage from recently named First Team All-Pro Derek Stingley Jr. In a Wild Card matchup that sees them as three-point underdogs at home, Metcalf is RotoBaller's WR18 in fantasy playoff leagues and should be plugged into lineups on an emergency basis only.

Monday, January 12, 10:50 AM

Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins sat out the final week of the regular season for rest purposes, but he's back and ready to go for his team's Wild Card round matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The 26-year-old had his second-straight Pro Bowl campaign in 2025, recording 71 receptions for 1,117 yards and six touchdowns on 120 targets across 15 games played. Collins is the clear WR1 in Houston and should heavily feature in the Texans' offensive game plan against the Steelers. Additionally, he will face a Pittsburgh defense that had its struggles defending the pass in the regular season. Pittsburgh finished 2025 ranked 30th in the NFL in passing yards allowed (4,437) and tied for 23rd in passing touchdowns allowed (30). The Steelers also allowed 53 receptions of 20 or more yards, so Collins should have a chance to make plays down the field. Collins averaged 15.7 yards per reception in the regular season and has a career average of 15.0 yards per reception across 66 NFL games. Fantasy managers in playoff leagues should view Collins as a WR1 option in the Wild Card round.