Who Should I Start? Christian Kirk or Jalen Nailor


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
7.3 0.7 0.0 2.6 33.7 0.2

Jalen Nailor News

Jalen Nailor "Will Thrive" in Kubiak's System

Monday, August 17, 4:30 AM

After four years in a depth role with the Minnesota Vikings, wide receiver Jalen Nailor signed a three-year, $35 million deal with the Las Vegas Raiders, and former All-Pro Steve Smith Sr. believes a 1,000-yard season is well within his realm of possibilities. In speaking with NFL Insider James Palmer, Smith indicated that Nailor would not leave the field in Klint Kubiak's offense and will be the team's clear-cut number one receiver. With All-Pro tight end Brock Bowers in and out of the lineup, Tre Tucker led the Raiders with 696 receiving yards in 2025, but Smith points to his limited vertical route tree as an area where Nailor can step in and add significant improvement. Both Smith and Palmer were in agreement that the free agent addition can thrive in Kubiak's system, and with Nailor being drafted as the WR61, he is the exact type of upside swing that drafters should be targeting in the closing rounds of 2026 drafts.


Christian Kirk vs. Jalen Nailor

Still trying to decide between Kirk and Nailor? 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 Jalen Nailor is projected to score 7.3 points.