Who Should I Start? Christian Kirk or Ricky Pearsall

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.

Friday, July 18, 6:16 PM

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (hamstring) has been placed on the active/physically unable to perform list on Friday. The second-year wideout tweaked his hamstring in late-May. The hope is that Pearsall would be ready to return by training camp, but the 49ers don't want to push it. Pearsall missed time in the summer last year due to a hamstring injury. When healthy, Pearsall figures to be an important part of the 49ers offense to start the season. Fellow wideout Brandon Aiyuk (knee) has also been placed on the PUP list on Friday. Also, Jauan Jennings is uncertain to suit up as he wants a new contract or to be traded. Pearsall might find himself being a top wideout alongside Demarcus Robinson and Jacob Cowing early in the season.