Start Nico Collins or A.J. Brown? Week 2

Our Week 2 call

Start Nico Collins over A.J. Brown in Week 2.

A.J. Brown is on injured reserve, so this is not a close call: start Nico Collins. Drafters take Nico Collins at ADP 19 and A.J. Brown at 16.

What the books imply

No sportsbook posted a player market for A.J. Brown in Week 2.

Player prop markets imply 15.9 fantasy points for Nico Collins, with 100 percent of the markets a WR needs posted.

Week 2 matchups

A.J. Brown and NE host PIT.

PIT allowed 9.9 fantasy points to WRs in its one game this season, the fewest in the league.

Receivers caught passes for 53 yards and no touchdowns against PIT.

Nico Collins and HOU host CIN on Sunday at 1:00 PM ET.

CIN allowed 25.8 fantasy points to WRs in its one game this season, the 13th fewest in the league.

Receivers caught passes for 139 yards and no touchdowns against CIN.

By points allowed to the position, Nico Collins has the softer matchup.

Injury status

A.J. Brown is listed as ir.

Nico Collins is listed as out with a hamstring injury.

Usage before Week 2

Through Week 1, A.J. Brown played 44 percent of NE snaps, drew 13 percent of the targets, earned 9 percent of the air yards and had 0 percent of the red zone chances.

A.J. Brown, Week 1 against SEA: 31 of 71 snaps, 4 targets and 3 catches for 26 yards.

Through Week 1, Nico Collins played 72 percent of HOU snaps, drew 27 percent of the targets, earned 37 percent of the air yards and had 22 percent of the red zone chances.

Nico Collins, Week 1 against BUF: 57 of 79 snaps, 1 carry for 7 yards, 10 targets and 7 catches for 75 yards, 1 touchdown.

Their 2025 seasons

In 2025, A.J. Brown played 15 games for PHI and scored 220.3 PPR points, 14.7 a game, finishing WR11.

He caught 78 of 121 targets for 1003 yards and 7 touchdowns, with 12 red zone targets and 735 air yards.

He was on the field for 91 percent of the offense's snaps in the games he played.

A.J. Brown, Week 17 of 2025 against BUF: 48 of 54 snaps, 7 targets and 5 catches for 68 yards, 11.8 PPR points.

A.J. Brown, Week 16 of 2025 against WAS: 61 of 70 snaps, 12 targets and 9 catches for 95 yards, 18.5 PPR points.

In 2025, Nico Collins played 15 games for HOU and scored 226.2 PPR points, 15.1 a game, finishing WR8.

He caught 71 of 120 targets for 1117 yards and 6 touchdowns, with 16 red zone targets and 793 air yards.

He was on the field for 77 percent of the offense's snaps in the games he played.

Nico Collins, Week 17 of 2025 against LAC: 44 of 65 snaps, 4 targets and 3 catches for 57 yards, 8.7 PPR points.

Nico Collins, Week 16 of 2025 against LV: 52 of 65 snaps, 9 targets and 4 catches for 59 yards, 9.9 PPR points.

Their other Week 2 calls

• Start CeeDee Lamb over A.J. Brown.
• Start Chris Olave over A.J. Brown.
• Start Drake London over A.J. Brown.
• Start Nico Collins over Chris Olave.
• Start Nico Collins over Drake London.
• Start Nico Collins over George Pickens.