Who Should I Start? Christian Kirk or DeMario Douglas


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
3.2 1.3 0.0 1.1 14.0 0.1

DeMario Douglas News

DeMario Douglas the Star of Patriots Scrimmage

Saturday, August 8, 5:14 AM

The New England Patriots held their second annual Blue and White team scrimmage under head coach Mike Vrabel on Friday, and the standout performer, according to senior reporter Evan Lazar, was wide receiver DeMario Douglas. The fourth-year player has earned praise from the local beat for running an expanded route tree throughout training camp, and that work paid off under game conditions, with Lazar noting that he made catches at all three levels of the field, including a deep ball in an end-of-game scenario and a touchdown from Tommy DeVito. Douglas saw only a 26% snap share in 2025 but has been operating as the primary slot receiver with the first-team offense and should see an uptick in usage in a role that has had some notable success in Josh McDaniels' offense. Falling outside of RotoBaller's top 300, Douglas is going largely undrafted in most single-season formats, but a strong training camp could lead to an increased role and occasional fantasy viability in 2026.


Christian Kirk vs. DeMario Douglas

Still trying to decide between Kirk and Douglas? 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 DeMario Douglas is projected to score 3.2 points.