DeVonta Smith · Nico Collins · 2026 week 9

DeVonta Smith or Nico Collins?

Wondering who you should start this week — DeVonta Smith or Nico Collins? The start/sit call and the numbers behind it are below, plus who wins a straight-up trade. Rebuilt nightly.

Start Nico CollinsNico Collins projects 3.6 PPR points clear of DeVonta Smith in week 9, drawing LAC — the 18th-ranked matchup for WRs. The numbers behind the call are below; overrule them with your eyes open.

Player	Wk 9	Proj (PPR)	Matchup	Form L3	Trade value	Status
DeVonta Smith	vs PIT	13.7	28th · tough	20.2	1,861	Out
Nico Collins START	@ LAC	17.3	18th	8	4,275	healthy

WRs vs PIT recently: Emeka Egbuka 10.8 pts (W6) · Devaughn Vele 11.4 pts (W7) · Denzel Boston 3.7 pts (W8).

WRs vs LAC recently: Courtland Sutton 7.8 pts (W5) · Xavier Worthy 7.3 pts (W6) · Puka Nacua 14 pts (W8).

🎓 The coach's read

Nico Collins projects 3.6 points higher in PPR.
DeVonta Smith faces PIT, 28th most generous to WRs.
DeVonta Smith is flagged RISK.
Nico Collins faces LAC, 18th most generous to WRs.

Who wins a straight-up trade?

Nico Collins carries the higher trade value — 4,275 against 1,861 (a 56% gap). In a one-for-one, the side receiving Nico Collins gets the most. Momentum: DeVonta Smith -974 and Nico Collins -1461 over the last 30 days.

Open in Start/Sit (any scoring) Open in the Trade Analyzer

More WR decisions

DeVonta Smith or DJ Moore?DeVonta Smith or A.J. Brown?DeVonta Smith or Michael Wilson?Nico Collins or Drake London?Nico Collins or Chris Olave?Nico Collins or Christian Watson?

All numbers are the 2026 season, refreshed nightly.