Who Should I Start? Christian Kirk or Rome Odunze

Friday, January 16, 3:12 PM

Houston Texans wide receiver Christian Kirk posted an underwhelming regular season in his first year with the team, recording 28 receptions for 239 yards and a touchdown on 52 targets across 13 games played. However, the 29-year-old broke out with a dominant performance in Houston's Wild Card Weekend win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, hauling in eight catches for 144 yards and a touchdown on nine targets. With star Texans wideout Nico Collins (concussion) exiting the game in the second half after suffering a concussion, Kirk stepped into a more prominent role in his team's offense. Collins has not practiced this week and is reportedly trending towards missing Houston's Divisional Round matchup against the New England Patriots. As a result, Kirk could see another week as the primary target-earner from Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud. If Collins is ruled out, fantasy managers should view Kirk as the top wide receiver option in Houston for the Divisional Round.

Sunday, February 22, 10:11 AM

Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze got off to a scorching start to the 2025 season, recording 20 catches for 296 yards and five touchdowns on 35 targets across his first four games of the year. However, the 23-year-old's production slowed down over the course of the season. Over his next eight games played, Odunze hauled in 24 receptions for 265 yards and one touchdown on 55 targets. Odunze also suffered a foot injury that caused him to miss Chicago's final five games of the regular season. The 23-year-old was able to return for the playoffs, so he should be good to go for 2026 from a health perspective. However, Odunze has not yet shown the elite fantasy production upside some projected when Chicago selected him ninth overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. Odunze also has significant target competition around him with the Bears in the form of wide receivers DJ Moore and Luther Burden III, as well as tight end Colston Loveland. Odunze still has time to break out as a star, but his dynasty outlook took a slight hit in 2025.