Who Should I Start? Christian Kirk or Baker Mayfield


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
4.8 0.4 0.0 1.8 21.5 0.1

Christian Kirk News

Christian Kirk Rested During Preseason Opener

Friday, August 14, 9:46 AM

San Francisco 49ers veteran wide receiver Christian Kirk (calf) did not play in the team's preseason opener on Thursday night against the Tennessee Titans, according to Nick Wagoner of ESPN. Veteran Mike Evans (quadriceps) was also held out as a precaution. Both Kirk and Evans have missed practice recently in training camp with what are considered minor injuries, but they may both be cleared to play in the second preseason tilt next Thursday, Aug. 20, against the Los Angeles Chargers on the road. The 29-year-old was brought in this offseason to bolster San Fran's receiving corps out of the slot. Ricky Pearsall (knee) has already been knocked out for the entire 2026 campaign, but the team's recent addition of Deebo Samuel Sr. has been bad news for Kirk's potential upside in his first year in the Bay Area. Kirk had only 28 catches on 52 targets for 239 yards and one touchdown in 13 regular-season games for the Houston Texans a year ago, and he continues to be hampered by injuries. Fantasy managers in 12-team leagues will be ignoring Kirk on draft day.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
22.8 17.3 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0

Baker Mayfield News

Baker Mayfield: Bucs will Shock a Lot of People in 2026

Thursday, August 20, 5:59 AM

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield is excited and ready for the season. He expressed his confidence by taking a question on Wednesday about the team's Week 1 matchup in Cincinnati and saying, "It's just the Bucs against everybody else in that city you're going to... I think we're going to shock a lot of people this year, so I'm excited to just get on the road and do that." Mayfield is in the final year of the three-year, $100 million extension and was unable to reach a new extension this offseason. He took a step back last year, with 3,693 yards and 26 touchdowns after posting 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns in 2024. He played through injury during the season, which ended with the Bucs just missing the playoffs. He'll look to post a big year and earn a new deal, and he starts the year ranked as the No. 17 QB in RotoBaller's rankings.


Christian Kirk vs. Baker Mayfield

Still trying to decide between Kirk and Mayfield? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Christian Kirk is projected to score 4.8 points this week while Baker Mayfield is projected to score 22.8 points.