Who Should I Start? Christian Kirk or Khalil Shakir

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, February 25, 1:32 PM

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the Buffalo Bills and wide receiver Khalil Shakir agreed to four-year contract extension on Tuesday that is worth up to $60.2 million, including $32 million guaranteed at signing with $18 million paid in the first 12 months. The new deal ties Shakir to Buffalo through the 2029 season. After the Bills traded Stefon Diggs away and let Gabe Davis walk in free agency last offseason, Shakir stepped up as Buffalo's No. 1 wideout to lead the team with 100 targets, 76 catches and 821 yards while scoring four touchdowns in 15 regular-season games (nine starts). The 25-year-old slot man also had six catches in each of the team's three playoff games. He's now locked in with the Bills for the foreseeable future and should continue to be quarterback Josh Allen's favorite weapon in the passing game with a solid floor for fantasy.