Who Should I Start? Rashod Bateman or Nico Collins

Tuesday, February 27, 3:21 PM

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said that wide receiver Rashod Bateman is going to get the ball "a lot more" next season and said that he expects the wideout to take a big step forward in 2024. Odell Beckham Jr. may not return in free agency, which would help, but most fantasy managers will likely want to see it before believing Harbaugh's words. The 24-year-old disappeared more often than not in his third NFL season in 2023, finishing with just 32 receptions for 367 yards and one touchdown on 56 targets in 16 regular-season games. A lot more would have been expected of the former first-rounder had we known he was going to stay healthy all year. Unless Zay Flowers or tight end Mark Andrews miss time with injury in 2024, Bateman will have an uphill battle to climb again for consistent fantasy value.

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.