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.

Wednesday, August 6, 7:34 PM

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall has been "nearly unstoppable" during training camp practices in recent days, according to ESPN's Nick Wagoner. San Francisco may be leaning heavily on Pearsall to open 2025 with fellow wideouts Brandon Aiyuk (knee) and Jauan Jennings (calf) both battling injuries. A first-round pick in 2024, Pearsall recorded 31 catches for 400 yards and three touchdowns in 11 games as a rookie. The 49ers should also heavily feature tight end George Kittle and running back Christian McCaffrey in the passing game, but Pearsall is undoubtedly the team's WR1 while Aiyuk and Jennings are sidelined.