In July, we broke down the tier of wide receivers expected to go between picks 8-15 in 2025 fantasy football drafts as well as those in the next wave of WRs off the board. Now that we're at crunch time, let's look at specific player vs. player matchups and see how they compare.
There are some excellent options. But who should you draft: Malik Nabers or Nico Collins? Each wide receiver brings a different blend of upside, risk and context. Making the right call here is a high-leverage fantasy decision, and one we practice for on the mock draft simulator that is part of the RotoWire draft kit.
Malik Nabers, New York Giants (WR6)
Malik Nabers was a rookie breakout with WR1 traits last season. He posted 1,204 yards and seven touchdowns on 170 targets in just 15 games. After Week 1, he averaged 11.3 targets per game and never dropped to less than eight in any remaining week. That's elite volume.
His yards-after-catch rate ranked only 45th percentile, but that reflects QB play and defensive attention more than anything lacking in his skill set. As a result, he only topped 82 yards once after Week 4, as his floor stayed high due to volume.
Now, with Russell Wilson under center, his efficiency could spike. Wilson is a veteran QB who can load up a lead WR with targets. That said, if the Giants turn to rookie QB Jaxson Dart, Nabers could face similar challenges to
In July, we broke down the tier of wide receivers expected to go between picks 8-15 in 2025 fantasy football drafts as well as those in the next wave of WRs off the board. Now that we're at crunch time, let's look at specific player vs. player matchups and see how they compare.
There are some excellent options. But who should you draft: Malik Nabers or Nico Collins? Each wide receiver brings a different blend of upside, risk and context. Making the right call here is a high-leverage fantasy decision, and one we practice for on the mock draft simulator that is part of the RotoWire draft kit.
Malik Nabers, New York Giants (WR6)
Malik Nabers was a rookie breakout with WR1 traits last season. He posted 1,204 yards and seven touchdowns on 170 targets in just 15 games. After Week 1, he averaged 11.3 targets per game and never dropped to less than eight in any remaining week. That's elite volume.
His yards-after-catch rate ranked only 45th percentile, but that reflects QB play and defensive attention more than anything lacking in his skill set. As a result, he only topped 82 yards once after Week 4, as his floor stayed high due to volume.
Now, with Russell Wilson under center, his efficiency could spike. Wilson is a veteran QB who can load up a lead WR with targets. That said, if the Giants turn to rookie QB Jaxson Dart, Nabers could face similar challenges to what he saw in 2024. Regardless, Nabers' target share is locked in, and that makes a difference when discussing NFL fantasy ADP.
Bottom line: Star power, elite usage and QB upgrade make Nabers a high-floor, high-ceiling WR1. He's the best bet in this tier with Wilson starting.
Nico Collins, Houston Texans (WR7)
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 WR8, he's a boom-or-(injury) bust selection who best fits aggressive team builds.
Stay informed with fantasy football news and track usage roles with the NFL depth charts.
Final Thoughts on Fantasy Football ADP WR Values
Both of these receivers have upside beyond their ADP, but their paths vary widely. Nabers has elite target volume and the hope of improved QB play, a perfect combo of floor and ceiling. Collins has elite per-game production, but injuries make him a gamble.
- Best ceiling/floor combo: Malik Nabers
- Most risk/reward: Nico Collins
If you like these ADP battles, check this out:
For more wide receiver battles and player tiers, check out our fantasy football articles.
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