Who Should I Start? Christian Kirk or George Pickens

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, 6:22 AM

Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer said that wide receiver George Pickens' ability to track a deep ball is uncanny and will be utilized in various formations. "He's been great with the ability to move him around," said Schottenheimer. "To maximize him, he can't play just one spot, can't play just the X spot. We are going to move him around, as CeeDee Lamb and he need to be interchangeable." Pickens has looked explosive in camp and has even lined up on the same side as Lamb in some formations. "When he's not doubled, he's really open, Schottenheimer added. The Cowboys traded a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth-rounder to the Steelers to acquire Pickens this offseason. The 24-year-old caught 59 passes for 900 yards and three touchdowns for the Steelers last season. Pickens is currently WR30 in the latest RotoBaller rankings, but that rank could rise if he continues to have an impressive camp.