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Matt Harmon fantasy football takes on Nico Collins
Every source-backed video insight STACKED has extracted from Matt Harmon about Nico Collins.
31
Insights
26
Positive
2
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Insight ledger
All Matt Harmon insights about Nico Collins
NegativeRoleJul 31, 2026
Matt Harmon ranks Nico Collins 102nd–104th in slot rate among 117 WRs with 200+ routes, grouping him with Courtland Sutton and DK Metcalf as X-receiver-only players. However, Harmon notes Collins is 'significantly better than just an exon only receiver type' and 'should be much more used in other formations and other alignments,' distinguishing him from pure X-only receivers. Nico Collins is cited as a comp for on-ball snap alignment percentage over 80%, representing pure X receiver archetypes with high alignment consistency.PositiveNewsJul 31, 2026
This is a GREAT pod. Get smarter hearing @MattHarmon_BYB chopping it up on WRs like Nico Collins, Jaylen Waddle, and Jayden Reed with @ScottBarrettDFB and @BGWhitefield It’s a show I’m NOT on and I’m telling you to listen. That’s how good it is. <https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/school-of-scott/id1757483459?i=1000779297917> [Retweeted](NegativeProjectionJul 29, 2026
Matt Harmon acknowledges Nico Collins is undeniably one of the top receivers in the NFL talent-wise, but has been frustrating and unreliable from a fantasy perspective. Harmon projects Collins as a back-half WR1 on a base case scenario and notes he will likely remain a little frustrating and inconsistent. However, Harmon sees potential for improvement: Collins could be moved around the formation more, and C.J. Stroud could be better this year after posting top-10 EPA per play last season, which could elevate Collins' production.PositiveUsageJul 27, 2026
Cool to see the data back up what @MattHarmon_BYB talked about last week wrt Nico Collins. He's had one of the more diverse route trees the last two years, but rarely gets used as anything other than an outside receiver. Put him in the slot! [Retweeted](PositiveNewsJul 27, 2026
🚨WR PROFILE DROP🚨 -Nico Collins -Drake London -Amon-Ra St. Brown -Garrett Wilson -DeVonta Smith -Christian Watson [Retweeted](PositiveNewsJul 26, 2026
I will have 6 new WR profiles up on the #ReceptionPerception site tomorrow morning with at least two more coming by mid-week! Subscribers will be able to access full data, charts and my evaluations on the follow players tomorrow: - Amon-Ra St. Brown - Garrett Wilson - Nico Collins - Drake London - DeVonta Smith - Christian Watson Page to get a subscription: <https://receptionperception.com/subscription-page-new/>PositiveUsageJul 22, 2026
117 WRs ran at least 200 routes last season. Tetairoa McMillan's 15.2% slot rate on passing plays ranked 101st, squarely in the heavy X-receiver bucket with Courtland Sutton, Nico Collins and DK Metcalf (102-104). Chris Brazzell needs to emerge as the sacrificial player, and the Panthers need to spread it out more often to make it happen, but I do believe McMillan can work out of the slot. [Quoted](PositiveUsageJul 22, 2026
On another note, George Pickens having the season he did while taking 7.6% of his snaps from the slot (the lowest rate from 2023 to 2025 for a WR with over 200 routes in a season) is wild. He averaged 84.1 yards per game, while no one else pictured cleared 48 YPG. Only WR with a slot rate under 17% to average more than 80 YPG from 2023 to 2025. Nico Collins in 2025 is the only other WR over 70. [Quoted](PositiveValueJul 17, 2026
The analyst prefers Nico Collins over Drake London, indicating Collins has an edge in the comparison between the two receivers.PositiveProjectionJul 17, 2026
Included in the elite receiver conversation alongside top-tier receivers.PositiveBreakoutJul 17, 2026
Nico Collins is considered to be in the top tier of wide receivers alongside Ja'Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson, Puka Nacua, and Jackson Smith-Njigba, though this is described as a hotter take.PositiveValueJul 16, 2026
Would you rather draft Drake London or Nico Collins this year? @justinboone and I debate two players we are both high on for 2026.PositiveValueJul 15, 2026
Analyst would straight up take Nico Collins ahead of Drake London this year and would have been okay if Nico made it to him over Drake.PositiveValueJul 15, 2026
The analyst would straight up take Nico Collins ahead of Drake London this year, preferring him over Drake at the same draft spot.PositiveUsageJul 15, 2026
Last year with two plus tight ends on the field, Nico Collins had a 36% target share per route, compared to 24% with zero to one tight ends, and more two tight end sets are expected after Houston drafted Marlon Mack.PositiveBreakoutJul 15, 2026
Nico Collins could be a sneaky wide receiver one overall candidate this year, potentially becoming this year's Jackson Smith-Njigba type, especially with more two tight end sets expected in Houston.PositiveValueJul 15, 2026
In the late second round, Nico Collins represents really good value. He's second in the NFL in yards per route run over the last 3 years since C.J. Stroud entered the league.PositiveValueJul 14, 2026
Top-level WR debates with @JamesDKoh 👀 Round 1: Justin Jefferson vs. CeeDee Lamb Round 2: Nico Collins vs. Drake London Round 3: Ladd McConkey vs. Emeka Egbuka Watch and subscribe: <https://youtu.be/1F2pt5NPCxg> [Retweeted](PositiveValueJul 13, 2026
Analysts agree on ranking Nico Collins over Drake London in rounds one, two, and three of drafts.PositiveBreakoutJul 13, 2026
The analyst is willing to chase Nico Collins' ceiling upside in the second round, viewing him as a potential breakout candidate if health cooperates.PositiveValueJul 13, 2026
Despite not having a great season, Nico Collins still produced 1100 yards in 15 games, demonstrating his upside potential.PositiveProjectionJul 13, 2026
If Nico Collins can stay healthy for a full 17-game season (which he's never done in five NFL years), he has 1500-yard and 10-12 touchdown potential upside.NegativeInjuryJul 13, 2026
Nico Collins has never played a full season in his five years in the NFL and has durability concerns, though he managed 1,100 yards in 15 games despite not having a great season.PositiveRoleJul 13, 2026
Nico Collins is the clear number one alpha receiver in Houston's offense, with the second year of the offense under Nick Kaye expected to improve and the offensive line potentially better than last year.PositiveProjectionJul 13, 2026
Nico Collins is an elite receiver with a 96th percentile success rate versus press coverage in the 2024 season and is ranked ahead of Drake London as a real-life player.PositiveValueJul 13, 2026
Nico Collins is the preferred pick over Drake London in round two, with an ADP of 22.9 compared to Drake London's 19, as Collins is viewed as the better overall player.PositiveValueJul 13, 2026
Top-level WR debates with @JamesDKoh 👀 Round 1: Justin Jefferson vs. CeeDee Lamb Round 2: Nico Collins vs. Drake London Round 3: Ladd McConkey vs. Emeka Egbuka Watch and subscribe: <https://youtu.be/1F2pt5NPCxg>PositiveUsageJul 12, 2026
Nico Collins from 2023 to 2025: - 2nd in yards per route - 10th in targets per route - 6th in first downs per route Keeps company with all the best receivers in the league during this span while running a real-deal route tree as the Texans' X-receiver. Just need him to stay healthy for all 17 games to register a raw stats season worthy of his talent.PositiveRoleJul 1, 2026
Perimeter X receiver with heavy diet of in-breaking routes; this archetype is increasingly valuable in today's game due to efficiency gains from throwing over the middle of the field against two-high safety shells. Ranks in the top 10 in fantasy points per game, just behind Rashee Rice (fifth), George Pickens, Drake London, Davante Adams, and Chris Olave.NegativeDepth ChartJun 5, 2026
Nico Collins is cited as a stud receiver in Houston's depth chart who limits opportunity for Jalen Nowell; C.J. Stroud performed best when Collins was healthy and active, establishing Collins as a priority target.NegativeProjectionJun 4, 2026
Matt Harmon projects Nico Collins as a top-five wide receiver if he stays healthy. Collins is a late second rounder with 23 overall ADP in 12-team formats and is described as an elite player at the position with tier-one wide receiver traits. The team's contract extension signals positive commitment. Collins is a 25% target share player with set-and-forget appeal, distinguishing him from supporting actors like Tank Dell, Jaden Higgins, and Jaylen Null in the Texans offense. Despite CJ Stroud's playoff disaster (one of the worst EPA per dropback performances in the playoffs since 2007), Stroud ranked between Patrick Mahomes and Sam Darnold in EPA per dropback during the regular season, making him good enough to support Collins. Harmon breaks ties in favor of Collins over Drake London in the second round despite London's role safety, citing Collins' injury history as a manageable concern relative to the upside differential. Collins' top-five upside contrasts favorably against George Pickens' top-12 ceiling despite similar ADP (23 vs. 24 on DraftKings).