Who Should I Start? Nico Collins or Tyler Warren

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.

Saturday, December 27, 3:00 PM

Indianapolis Colts tight end Tyler Warren has had a very solid rookie season overall in 2025, recording 66 catches for 748 yards and four touchdowns on 99 targets across 15 games. However, the 23-year-old has hit a dry spell of late, averaging just 2.8 receptions and 21.5 receiving yards per game over his last four contests. On the bright side, Warren has remained a featured pass-catcher in the two games since Philip Rivers has taken over as the starting quarterback in Indianapolis. Rivers has targeted Warren 15 times, including nine in Week 16 against the San Francisco 49ers. Still, Warren has turned those targets from Rivers into just six receptions for 49 yards. In Week 17, the Colts will take on the Jacksonville Jaguars. Jacksonville has allowed some passing production this season, entering the week ranked 18th in the NFL in total passing yards allowed (3,492) and 27th in passing touchdowns allowed (26). Still, fantasy managers may find Warren difficult to trust given his recent lack of production. Overall, he profiles as a borderline fantasy TE1 in Week 17.