In July, we analyzed draft dilemmas among running back and wide receiver tiers for 2025 fantasy football drafts. Now that we're at crunch time, let's pit specific running backs and wide receivers against each other to see how they compare.
There are some excellent options toward the end of the first round. But who should you draft: Christian McCaffrey or Nico Collins? Each brings a different blend of upside, risk and context. Making the right call is a high-leverage fantasy decision, and one we practice for on the mock draft simulator.
By using that tool and others you get in the fantasy football draft kit at RotoWire, you'll be in great shape come draft day.
Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers (ADP: 11)
Christian McCaffrey's 2024 was derailed by injury. Coming off an Achilles injury, McCaffrey did not make his season debut until Week 10. He struggled thereafter before suffering a knee injury Week 13, and was shut down for the season.
He ranked in the 30th percentile in yards after contact, but that can be reasonably chalked up to the Achilles injury, and despite being in his eighth season, McCaffrey has averaged just 168 carries per year, which perhaps will preserve him more than expected at age 29.
The 49ers have made it clear that McCaffrey will remain the focal point of the offense this season. Offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak said the team plans to "get him the ball as much as we can."
When healthy, McCaffrey
In July, we analyzed draft dilemmas among running back and wide receiver tiers for 2025 fantasy football drafts. Now that we're at crunch time, let's pit specific running backs and wide receivers against each other to see how they compare.
There are some excellent options toward the end of the first round. But who should you draft: Christian McCaffrey or Nico Collins? Each brings a different blend of upside, risk and context. Making the right call is a high-leverage fantasy decision, and one we practice for on the mock draft simulator.
By using that tool and others you get in the fantasy football draft kit at RotoWire, you'll be in great shape come draft day.
Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers (ADP: 11)
Christian McCaffrey's 2024 was derailed by injury. Coming off an Achilles injury, McCaffrey did not make his season debut until Week 10. He struggled thereafter before suffering a knee injury Week 13, and was shut down for the season.
He ranked in the 30th percentile in yards after contact, but that can be reasonably chalked up to the Achilles injury, and despite being in his eighth season, McCaffrey has averaged just 168 carries per year, which perhaps will preserve him more than expected at age 29.
The 49ers have made it clear that McCaffrey will remain the focal point of the offense this season. Offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak said the team plans to "get him the ball as much as we can."
When healthy, McCaffrey is unrivaled. He finished as the PPR RB1 or RB2 in each of his last four healthy seasons. No running back has matched that level of dominance.
Still, three injury-plagued years in the last five seasons make him a high-risk, high-reward pick. His top-5 ADP demands perfection, and that's a tall order given the recent durability record.
The bottom line: McCaffrey has unmatched upside, but the injury risk is undeniable. If you're drafting him, it's a bet on health. For risk-tolerant managers, he's worth the gamble.
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Nico Collins, Houston Texans (ADP: 13)
Nico Collins opened 2024 red-hot, averaging 122 receiving yards and 7.5 catches per game through Week 4. A hamstring injury derailed his midseason, but he bounced back in the playoffs with two 100-yard performances.
Injuries remain the big concern. Collins has yet to play a full season and has missed 17 games in four years. While his per-game numbers are elite, 85 yards and 0.56 touchdowns since 2023, the inability to stay on the field drags down his fantasy reliability.
Even with added target competition in Houston, Collins remains the top perimeter weapon for C.J. Stroud. If he finally stays healthy, he could easily smash ADP.
The bottom line: Collins brings top-4 WR per-game upside but carries significant durability concerns. At ADP 13, he's a boom-or-(injury) bust selection who best fits aggressive team builds.
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