As fantasy football managers make numerous waiver claims for Week 14, hoping to strengthen their roster, should Houston Texans WR Nico Collins be a priority addition off the waiver wire vs. the Dallas Cowboys?
Nico Collins Continues His Under-the-Radar Excellence
As an offense, it’s clear Houston has a problem. But we knew that coming into the year. This wasn’t going to be a potent offense, but all fantasy managers were hoping for was that Brandin Cooks and Dameon Pierce would be viable weekly options.
Unfortunately, neither of those has been the case as of late, and it’s Nico Collins who is becoming a rather intriguing option off the waiver wire for Week 14.
With Cooks missing last week (calf), Collins took advantage of the increased opportunities, recording a 25% target share while catching three of his 10 targets for 35 yards and a touchdown in their loss to the Browns.
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This isn’t necessarily something new, though. Collins is the WR27 in fantasy since Week 10, and over this period, he’s ninth in targets at 36. Collins has seen nine or more targets in three of the last four games and scored in two. Additionally, Collins has over 30% of the air yards over this time.
Despite the change to Kyle Allen under center, we’re starting to see Collins become the wide receiver we thought he could be coming out of Michigan. Collins has the size at 6’4″ to be a massive contributor, which he’s been since the whole trade deadline fiasco when Cooks sat out a game.
While it will remain difficult for Collins to become a worry-free option on this current iteration of the Texans offense, should fantasy managers prioritize him off the waiver wire in Week 14 ahead of a matchup against the Cowboys?
Should Nico Collins Be a Top Waiver Wire Priority for Fantasy Managers in Week 14?
Although the Texans are mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, they won’t stop playing hard. While this offense can only produce one to two fantasy assets per week, right now, Collins is likely the top option, given Pierce’s struggles.
That’s critical in Week 14 as the NFL decided, for some reason, to schedule six teams on a bye week just in time for the final week of the fantasy football regular season.
Rostered in only 21.1% of leagues, Collins is one of my favorite waiver wire options this week if you need a pass catcher. However, he’s undoubtedly one of many available. Names like Corey Davis, Jameson Williams, DJ Chark, and Isaiah McKenzie should also be considered.
MORE: Week 14 Waiver Wire Pickups
Houston’s going to be in garbage time every game, which only increases the volume and potential value Collins can bring to your fantasy football lineup. Also working in his favor is the upcoming schedule, with three of their four opponents sitting inside the top 10 in points allowed to wide receivers.
Dallas is just outside the range, but they’re 20th in points allowed (34.28), and their offense is firing on all cylinders. In fact, the Cowboys’ 15 touchdowns in the last four weeks are more than the Denver Broncos have scored all season (14).
That means a negative game script early for the Texans, which is a positive for fantasy. If you’re missing someone due to injury or bye in Week 14, Collins is a low-end WR3 you can grab off the waiver wire in most leagues.