Who Should I Start? Christian Kirk or Jayden Reed

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.

Monday, July 28, 3:37 PM

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed worked with the starters in two-WR sets during practice on Monday, according to Andy Herman of the Pack-A-Day podcast. That's a rarity for Reed, who totaled a meager 33 snaps in two-receiver sets during his first two seasons in the league. Despite somewhat limited usage, the former second-round pick from Michigan State still averaged around 60 catches, 85 targets, 825 yards, and seven touchdowns from 2023-24. While Reed does have issues with drops (he had 10 last year), he'd have significant upside if he were to accrue more snaps opposite Romeo Doubs. One potential problem for Reed is that the role may go to Matthew Golden, Green Bay's first-round pick in this year's draft.