Who Should I Start? Nico Collins or Christian Watson

Friday, December 26, 8:52 AM

Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins has remained his team's clear go-to option at receiver this season, but he's only a fringe WR1 this week in a tough Saturday afternoon matchup against the Chargers. Collins has hauled in 68 of his 116 targets this season for 1,060 receiving yards and six touchdowns, and he has at least three catches in every game he has played this season. Last week against the Raiders, he had four catches for 59 scoreless yards, but he found the end zone twice in the previous week against the Cardinals. He's still C.J. Stroud's favorite target both in the open field and near the goal line, so he always brings upside, even in tough, low-scoring games like is expected this week. The Chargers have only allowed eight WR touchdowns all season, but did give up two last week to the Cowboys. Collins is the No. 9 WR in RotoBaller's Week 17 rankings, so he should be started as a top option in most formats, even with slightly tempered expectations.

Friday, December 26, 11:37 AM

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (shoulder, illness) will be a slightly more volatile fantasy option than usual for Saturday's home matchup with the Baltimore Ravens. Watson, like quite a few of his teammates, is dealing with multiple injury designations for their Week 17 tilt with Baltimore. In unfortunate news for the 26-year-old, a late-week illness may keep him from suiting up, as he's been deemed questionable after recording a DNP for Thursday's practice. Even if Watson does eventually play, the uncertainty surrounding who will be the team's starting quarterback hurts his fantasy value. Currently, both Jordan Love (shoulder, concussion) and Malik Willis (shoulder, illness) are questionable, too, meaning Clayton Tune could end up being the one calling signals in a worst-case scenario. Fantasy managers relying on the fourth-year pro should closely monitor his status up until game time. Watson ranks as RotoBaller's PPR WR35 for his outing with Baltimore.