Who Should I Start? Christian Kirk or Xavier Legette

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.

Monday, July 14, 2:30 PM

The Athletic's Joseph Person writes that Carolina Panthers second-year wide receiver Xavier Legette should see improved production in 2025 as quarterback Bryce Young develops and rookie first-round receiver Tetairoa McMillan draws coverage his way. Legette had 49 catches for 497 yards and four touchdowns in 16 games (13 starts) after going 32nd overall in last year's draft out of South Carolina. It was a disappointment for the 24-year-old, but as Person points out, Legette didn't become a full-time starter in college until his fifth season. His eight drops put him among the leaders in that category. the 6-foot-3, 227-pounder has a big, chiseled frame and could make strides this year as long as Young continues to improve as well. There will be plenty of competition for targets in Carolina, though, so RotoBaller has Legette ranked as the No. 64 wideout.