Who Should I Start? Christian Kirk or Ladd McConkey

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 29, 3:56 PM

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey (undisclosed) isn't practicing on Tuesday because of an undisclosed injury. Head coach Jim Harbaugh doesn't seem concerned, though, as he said McConkey is "working through something minor." A second-round pick out of Georgia last year, the 6-foot, 185-pound McConkey sparkled as a rookie with 82 catches on 112 targets, 1,149 yards, and seven touchdowns. McConkey is quarterback Justin Herbert's go-to guy and should be in line for another terrific season this year. RotoBaller has McConkey as the 10th-ranked receiver going into 2025.