Who Should I Start? Christian Kirk or Christian Watson

Wednesday, July 9, 3:34 PM

Houston Texans wide receiver Christian Kirk was dealt from the division rival Jacksonville Jaguars for a late-round NFL Draft pick this offseason. The 28-year-old had a fantastic first season with Jacksonville in 2022, but injuries and offensive woes limited his production in 2023 and 2024. Last year, he tallied just 27 receptions for 379 yards and one score in eight games while Brian Thomas Jr. took over the WR1 role. Now in Houston, he is seemingly competing with rookies Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel for the WR2 job behind Nico Collins. ESPN's DJ Bien-Aime believes Kirk might be the favorite to win that job. "The best way to step into the No. 2 or No. 3 role is building chemistry with CJ.. Stroud," Bien-Aime wrote. "And Kirk looked like a potential safety blanket for the third-year signal-caller." While this is promising for Kirk's fantasy prospects, the veteran has eclipsed 800 yards in just two of his seven NFL campaigns, and Houston's acquisitions of Higgins and Noel could suggest they were not comfortable with Kirk in the clear WR2 role. That said, his cost in drafts outside the top 50 WRs makes him an interesting dart throw in all formats.

Wednesday, July 23, 3:45 PM

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (knee), who suffered a torn ACL near the end of last season, is recovering well, according to general manager Brian Gutekunst. Gutekunst said his rehab is going "great," and the former North Dakota State speedster did a test run earlier in the week. "It's an ACL, so we're going to take our time with him," Gutekunst said. "But he's pressing to get out there." Watson has missed 13 games through the first three seasons of his pro career since being selected in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Overall, he has hauled in 98 of his 172 targets for 1,653 yards and 14 touchdowns. It's a positive sign that he is recovering quickly, but his fantasy prospects are tough to believe in based on what we've seen thus far and the addition of Texas wideout Matthew Golden in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.