Who Should I Start? Christian Kirk or Jayden Higgins

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.

Tuesday, August 5, 12:52 PM

The Houston Texans released their first unofficial depth chart of the preseason on Tuesday, and rookie wide receiver Jayden Higgins was listed as a starter next to Nico Collins and Christian Kirk. As we always say, take unofficial depth charts with a grain of sand in the preseason. It's a good sign for the 22-year-old second-rounder, but it hardly guarantees him a big role right away in his first NFL season in Houston. The Iowa State product was productive in college and showed plenty of athleticism at the scouting combine in February. The problem is that Collins should continue to be a target hog through the air in an offense with a shaky offensive line. It's possible that Higgins could continue ascending and leapfrog Kirk for WR2 duties, but that will likely take time. Consider Higgins a decent late-round dart throw for receiver depth in fantasy drafts.