Should I Start Nico Collins in Week 4? WR Fantasy Football Rankings Analysis

Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins was selected in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft, but it took him some time to get going fantasy-wise.

In 2023, however, he is off to a fast start. He combined for over 220 yards in the first two games of the season. Through three weeks, he is the WR14, one spot ahead of Amon-Ra St. Brown.

Can Nico Collins keep it up in Week 4 against the Pittsburgh Steelers? Should you start Collins in Week 4?

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What Did Nico Collins Do In Week 3?

Nico Collins had a down game in Week 3. After making over five catches in each of the first two weeks of the season, Collins only caught two passes in Week 3 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Collins only ran 24 routes in Week 3, which is about half as many as he ran in Week 1 and Week 2. One of the problems for the WR is that the Texans ran fewer plays than they had in previous weeks. The Texans only attempted 30 passes in Week 3 compared to over 44 passes in Weeks 1 and 2.

Not only were the Texans leading the whole game, causing them to have to pass less often, but they also benefited from a kick return touchdown that deprived their offense of a drive. Collins' teammate Tank Dell was the main target of the game when they did throw the ball.

Tank Dell, the rookie, has been playing better in each game. Collins' targets have declined each week, so he may be relegated to second fiddle.

Nico Collins Wide Receiver Rankings Analysis

Collins is the No. 31 WR in RotoBaller's Week 4 PPR rankings.

His dynasty value has skyrocketed. He has risen to the rank of WR30 on Keep Trade Cut, which is about where he stands on RotoBaller's redraft rankings, too.

Should I Start Nico Collins in Week 4 Fantasy Football?

Collins faces the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 4. Opponents have attacked the Steelers through the air this season. The Steelers' opponents have averaged 37.7 pass attempts per game, the seventh-most. They face passing plays nearly 60% of the time.

Because of that, the Steelers are allowing 235.3 passing yards per game, the 11th-most, and they have allowed their opponents' top receiver to finish in the top 10 WRs of the week twice. Not only that, but the WR2 on the Steelers' opponent has finished as a viable fantasy WR3 twice. So even if Nico Collins doesn't lead the Texans in receiving this week, he still has a chance to make an impact.

That's not to say there is no risk in starting Collins. The Steelers have one of the best pass rushes in the league. Star edge rushers T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith are both among the top 10 in QB pressures. Rookie QB C.J. Stroud might be under duress.

While the Steelers allow a high passing yardage total, they do a good job of limiting opposing offenses on a per-play basis. They allow the eighth-lowest completion percentage of all teams. Still, while Collins is by no means a guarantee in Week 4, he profiles as a WR3 and should be worthy of starting.

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