Who Should I Start? Christian Kirk or Joshua Palmer

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, July 1, 9:49 PM

The Athletic's Joe Buscaglia has Buffalo Bills wide receiver Joshua Palmer listed as a sleeper after signing a three-year deal with the team in the offseason. Buscaglia writes that Palmer's potential role and impact in this year's passing offense "are being slept on a bit." He's exactly what the Bills offense lacked last year -- a precise route-runner that specializes in separation who has enough speed to push down the field for deeper targets. The 25-year-old should be a nice fit for the Z receiver role after Buffalo tried to force Amari Cooper and Mack Hollins into the role in 2024. Buscaglia writes that Palmer could win the Hollins award for unexpected player who will play a lot more than most people think. Ultimately, Palmer probably won't see enough volume in this offense to warrant anything more than WR4/5 value in fantasy unless Khalil Shakir or Keon Coleman miss time with injury.