Tyreek Hill, Tank Dell, Top Fantasy WR Trade Candidates amid Nico Collins' Injury

Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins, who leads the NFL with 567 receiving yards, will miss at least the next four games after landing on injured reserve because of a hamstring injury suffered during his team's 23-20 win over the Buffalo Bills last Sunday.

The earliest Collins can return is Nov. 10, when the Texans host the Detroit Lions on Sunday Night Football. Hopefully the talented Collins, an emerging superstar, only misses the four-game minimum as he works his way back to the field.

From a fantasy football perspective, this is a tough blow for any team that rosters Collins given his tremendous production.

Those managers are likely scouring the waiver wires over the next four weeks to help replace Collins in the lineup, but trading for wideouts is an option as well.

Here's a look at some options for managers to consider while Collins is out.

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill snagged 119 passes for 1,799 yards and 13 touchdowns last year and was widely expected to star again this season.

However, it's been tough sledding for the Dolphins offense after quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffered a concussion in Week 2 against the Buffalo Bills. Hill, notably, has just 13 catches for 132 yards and zero touchdowns since Week 3.

Tagovailoa's health, obviously, is of utmost importance, and he's now suffered three diagnosed concussions in the past three seasons.

However, there's at least some optimism of a return—or at least good news. Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said there's been "nothing negative so far, but we're still in the process."

It's unclear if or when Tagovailoa will return this season. He still needs to clear concussion protocol, but he can't do that until he gets through a practice. Tagovailoa can't do that until he gets off injured reserve. The earliest he can do that is after the Dolphins visit the Indianapolis Colts on Oct. 20.

In theory, Tagovailoa could clear concussion protocol during the week leading up to the team's Oct. 27 home game against the Arizona Cardinals.

From a fantasy perspective on Hill, team managers could have two schools of thought. Either (a) they think he's worth keeping in case Tagovailoa returns or (b) they think it's not worth it at this point and are ready to cut ties.

The upside here is too big to ignore given Hill's past production, so if he's available, fantasy managers looking for a wideout should make an offer.

For what it's worth, Hill also had his best game minus Tagovailoa last Sunday against the New England Patriots, catching six passes for 69 yards on nine targets. It's possible he's got something going now with quarterback Tyler Huntley.

Tank Dell was phenomenal in 11 games last year, catching 47 passes for 709 yards and seven touchdowns. Unfortunately, a torn ACL ended his season prematurely, but it was clear that he and fellow rookie C.J. Stroud formed a tremendous connection.

Hopes rang high going into 2024, even with the Texans adding veteran Stefon Diggs into the mix. However, it's been a slow start for Dell, who has just 13 catches for 137 yards (no touchdowns) on 21 targets in four games. Dell missed one matchup with bruised ribs but is back in the mix.

Dell averaged 6.8 targets per game in 2023, but that number has fallen to 5.25 in 2024. With Collins out, Dell is a prime candidate to see his targets uptick, therefore increasing his production.

It's certainly possible any fantasy managers who have Dell are waiting on a production spike, but it's also possible that those same people are willing to deal the second-year pro following his rough start. Ultimately, Dell has too much talent to not take advantage of his opportunity to become a more featured player in the offense.

Bengals WR Tee Higgins

Higgins missed the first two games of the year and then got off to a slower start in Weeks 3 and 4, catching nine passes for 99 yards. But the opportunities were there for Higgins, who had 16 targets through two games.

Then Higgins broke out Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens, hauling in nine passes for 83 yards and two touchdowns on 14 targets.

The table is set for Higgins to continue his hot stretch. Aside from his talent and opportunity (10 targets per game), the Bengals have allowed the second-most points in football. If the defense continues its struggles, the Bengals are going to have to throw a ton to keep in games, and that means more chances for Higgins.

Jaguars WR Brian Thomas Jr.

It didn't take long for the talented rookie from LSU to usurp veterans Christian Kirk and Gabe Davis to be the No. 1 option in the Jaguars' pass game. After a 37-34 win against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, it's clear the 1-4 Jags are basing their offense around the exploits of Thomas and Jags running back Tank Bigsby.

Thomas has been great, catching 22 passes for 397 yards and three touchdowns. He's also turned it up of late with 11 receptions and 208 yards and two scores on 17 targets the last two weeks.

It's unlikely Thomas would be available in many leagues, simply because he's excellent right now. But it's also possible that fantasy managers could be looking to trade Thomas at his apex. He's going to command a haul in trades, but if teams who had Collins have the assets to pull a deal off, then it's worth it.

Dolphins WR Jaylen Waddle

Like teammate Tyreek Hill, Waddle has been a fantastic player, catching 72 passes for 1,014 yards and four touchdowns last year.

Also like Hill, Waddle has not fared well minus Tagovailoa, receiving just 12 passes for 108 yards in his last three games.

He did see his most action last Sunday against the Patriots, getting eight targets overall. That only led to four catches for 46 yards, but perhaps the pass game is improving a bit under quarterback Tyler Huntley.

If you think that the Dolphins' pass game can improve with more time under Huntley, or if you think that Tagovailoa could return after the IR period ends, then Waddle could be a good pickup via trade. Like Hill, it's possible any managers rostering Waddle have given up on him having a viable fantasy season, making him an intriguing option via trade.