Who Should I Start? Marquez Valdes-Scantling or Keith Kirkwood

Saturday, September 13, 3:22 AM

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling saw zero targets on 15 routes run in Week 1. With George Kittle (hamstring) now on injured reserve and Jauan Jennings (shoulder) tagged as questionable for San Francisco's Week 2 matchup against the Saints, it is possible that Valdes-Scantling plays a bigger role on Sunday. Unfortunately, Brock Purdy (toe, shoulder) has been ruled out so it will be Mac Jones under center, limiting Valdes-Scantling's upside even if he does see more playing time. MVS does have the ability to stretch the field but Jones' career completion rate on passes of 20 or more air yards is a mere 30%, effectively negating that threat. If it were Purdy running the show, Valdes-Scantling would have more potential but as it is, he has little viability in Week 2.

Wednesday, February 19, 9:35 PM

The Baltimore Ravens re-signed veteran wide receiver Keith Kirkwood to an undisclosed deal on Wednesday, according to the league's personnel notice. Kirkwood spent the entire 2024 season on Baltimore's practice squad and will now return to workout with the team this offseason and through training camp this summer. The 30-year-old pass-catcher made his NFL debut in 2018 with the New Orleans Saints and spent two years in the Big Easy before playing two seasons with the Carolina Panthers in 2020 and 2021. He then returned to New Orleans in 2022 and 2023. Kirkwood's best season was his rookie year, when he caught 13 of 21 targets for 209 yards and two touchdowns. He has accumulated only 24 receptions for 294 yards and three touchdowns on 43 targets in his six seasons in the NFL.