Who Should I Start? Christian Kirk or Jack Bech

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.

Friday, June 13, 1:15 PM

Las Vegas Raiders rookie second-round wide receiver Jack Bech has flashed during offseason workouts, but ESPN's Ryan McFadden points out that the majority of his reps have come with the second-team offense. "Dont'e and Jack did their stuff," head coach Pete Carroll said. "The idea is to force those guys to play early, and to do that, you have to ask them to do things they're good at." Dont'e Thornton Jr., the team's fourth-round selection, saw more action with the first-team offense. It's not a great sign for the 23-year-old Bech, but a lot can still happen in training camp this summer. Jakobi Meyers and tight end Brock Bowers are the top two targets in this offense, but there is opportunity beyond that. However, in what should be a much more balanced offensive attack that features a lot of first-round running back Ashton Jeanty, this might be a developmental year for Bech.