Who Should I Start? Nico Collins or George Pickens

Wednesday, March 5, 11:10 AM

The Houston Texans restructured the contract of star wide receiver Nico Collins, clearing $9.8 million in salary cap space for 2025. According to NFL insider Tom Pelissero, it was a simple restructure. Last offseason, Collins signed a three-year, $72.75 million contract extension with Houston following a 1,297-yard receiving season. The former Michigan Wolverine posted 1,006 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in just 12 games in 2024. With Stefon Diggs likely out of Houston entering next season, Collins is poised for another strong year as quarterback C.J. Stroud's No. 1 wide receiver.

Wednesday, May 7, 1:02 PM

The Dallas Cowboys' plan is for newly acquired wide receiver George Pickens to play out his rookie deal in 2025, a source tells ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. The Cowboys swung a trade for Pickens and a 2026 sixth-round draft pick with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Wednesday in exchange for a 2026 third-rounder and a 2027 fifth-rounder. The 24-year-old Pickens gives Dallas a big upgrade at the No. 2 receiver spot behind All-Pro CeeDee Lamb. Although Pickens is going to have plenty of competition for targets from Lamb -- he would have had that in Pittsburgh as well alongside DK Metcalf -- the move to Dallas should be overwhelmingly positive for his fantasy value in 2025. Pickens will now be working with quarterback Dak Prescott in an offense that could be very pass-heavy when considering their mediocre backfield options. The former second-rounder has 2,841 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns in his three NFL seasons.