Trevor Lawrence said "from a football IQ sense, I think [Christian Kirk] is really quarterback friendly."
It's been nothing but praise for Kirk, who altered the free agency landscape with his flabbergasting four-year, $72 million deal with Jacksonville this spring. "The way he sees the field, different coverages unfold, the way he runs his routes, I just think he’s quarterback friendly," Lawrence said of Kirk. "And then obviously his speed is something that we really needed and it’s going to help us a lot." Kirk should be the team's no-brained WR1 to start the year, with Marvin Jones and Laviska Shenault profiling as secondary pass-catching options for Lawrence. Coming off a career season in Arizona with 77 receptions and 982 yards (12.8 YPC), Kirk certainly holds some fantasy appeal that could be lost in constant discussions about his bloated contract.
SOURCE: SI.com
May 27, 2022, 11:32 AM ET
I think this is a reasonable perspective if you're not of the opinion that you need to see this team to make a significant step towards "decent" before committing. Maybe that transformation can happen in a single off-season but I think am fading Jags for at least another year.I think his contract has overshadowed his prospects a bit here.
We all know he hasn't played up to the contract he received. But he's been brought in to the WR1 to a #1 overall 'generational' QB talent in his 2nd year with a HC who is not Urban Meyer.
If you're looking for that 75/1050/7-8 type, you should be able to wait a long time and snag Kirk.
FBG July 14th ADP has him at 94. Basically the end of the 8th round in WR4 territory. Definitely a buy low in redraft for opportunity alone. And I roster him in just 1 Dynasty league and my fingers are firmly crossed he can turn into a weekly WR3 for my team. Any better would be striking gold.I think this is a reasonable perspective if you're not of the opinion that you need to see this team to make a significant step towards "decent" before committing. Maybe that transformation can happen in a single off-season but I think am fading Jags for at least another year.
Christian Kirk was targeted on 36.3 percent of his routes in the Jaguars' preseason game against the Steelers.
Kirk, according to Pro Football Focus, saw eight targets on just 22 routes against Pittsburgh. He caught five of those targets for 54 yards. Throughout training camp, Kirk has served as Trevor Lawrence's primary target, working both as an intermediate pass catcher and a downfield threat. Lawrence this spring described Kirk, who signed a massive contract with Jacksonville in March, as "really QB friendly." With an ADP of WR41, Kirk could be a pleasant surprise for those seeking receiver value in the second half of drafts.
Aug 22, 2022, 8:42 AM ET
Christian Kirk caught 6-of-12 targets for 117 yards in the Jaguars' Week 1 loss to the Commanders.
Kirk's 12 targets led all Jaguars on the day, as did his 117 yards. Kirk caught two passes of 25+ yards on the day, with his longest coming on a 49-yard pass from Trevor Lawrence. Kirk got behind Washington's secondary and extended himself to make the diving catch, but may have found pay dirt on a more accurate throw. Nevertheless, the Jags' big free agent signing showed up big in this one and looks like the No. 1 target in the offense. Another day like today would make him a mid-WR2 against the Colts next week.
- NBCSportsEDGE
Christian Kirk caught 6-of-6 targets for 78 yards and two touchdowns in the Jaguars' Week 2 win over the Colts.
Kirk has gone from being the most overpaid receiver in the history of the NFL to posting 12/192/3 through his first two games in a Jaguars uniform. Today's two-score effort came even though the Jags were never pushed in a game they led by multiple scores from the 7:52 mark of the second quarter onward. He may have doubled his amount of targets had the proceedings been closer. For touchdown No. 1, Kirk easily converted a 10-yard crosser in the middle of the field. For No. 2, he caught a play-action flick from Trevor Lawrence on a play-fake rollout. Lawrence wasn't necessarily looking like a rock star vs. the Colts, but it was the second straight week where he at least appeared removed from the stink of Urban Meyer. That is excellent news for his well-paid No. 1 wideout. Kirk will face a stiff Week 3 test in the Chargers' play-maker filled defense.
Sep 18, 2022, 3:57 PM ET
Christian Kirk caught 6-of-6 targets for 78 yards and two touchdowns in the Jaguars' Week 2 win over the Colts.
Kirk has gone from being the most overpaid receiver in the history of the NFL to posting 12/192/3 through his first two games in a Jaguars uniform. Today's two-score effort came even though the Jags were never pushed in a game they led by multiple scores from the 7:52 mark of the second quarter onward. He may have doubled his amount of targets had the proceedings been closer. For touchdown No. 1, Kirk easily converted a 10-yard crosser in the middle of the field. For No. 2, he caught a play-action flick from Trevor Lawrence on a play-fake rollout. Lawrence wasn't necessarily looking like a rock star vs. the Colts, but it was the second straight week where he at least appeared removed from the stink of Urban Meyer. That is excellent news for his well-paid No. 1 wideout. Kirk will face a stiff Week 3 test in the Chargers' play-maker filled defense.
- NBC SportsEDGE
Next Gen Stats @NextGenStats
Christian Kirk has been targeted 18 times this season. None were tight windows (< 1 yard of separation).
Christian Kirk, NFL Ranks (min. 15 targets):
Tight Window Rate: 0% (1st)
Air Yards/Target: 10.3 (13th)
@Jaguars | #DUUUVAL
Ian Hartitz @Ihartitz
Christian Kirk is a top-12 wide receiver in PFF receiving grade, yards per route run, yards per reception and yards after the catch per reception through two weeks. Dude is balling.
Truly a pleasure to watch this guy the last 3 years. His QB situation was a shame.
Lightning in a bottle with the ball in his hands. Looking forward to his NFL career.
Christian Kirk caught 6-of-9 targets for 72 yards and a touchdown in the Jaguars' Week 3 win over the Chargers.
Kirk's nine targets ranked second on the team behind Zay Jones, but he was still heavily involved in the offense. A 23 percent target share with a touchdown is a strong performance for the first-year Jaguar. Kirk won't be topping charts with his target share, but he will project as the team's top receiver unless Jones stays hot for a few weeks. Kirk could push for a WR2 ranking in Week 4 against the Eagles.
Sep 25, 2022, 8:51 PM ET
Preview of my weekly exploit/avoid which might be up Saturday at the rate we are going this week
Christian Kirk caught 4-of-5 targets for 23 yards and one touchdown in the Jaguars' Week 6 loss to the Colts.
Kirk managed a short second half touchdown from Trevor Lawrence in a low-volume passing attack; Evan Engram and Zay Jones led the Jags with six targets apiece. Kirk's first three weeks of the 2022 season seemed to promise great things for the slot receiver in a passing offense predicated on getting him the ball. That's now a distant memory: Kirk has seven receptions over his past three games while other Jacksonville pass catchers post out-of-nowhere big stat lines. Kirk will be lucky to function as a high-end WR3 for the remainder of the season in a down-bad Jaguars offense that ranked 18th in EPA per play headed into Week 6.
- NBCSportsEDGE
Christian Kirk caught 7-of-10 targets for 96 yards in the Jaguars’ Week 7 Loss to the Giants
Kirk got back in a groove this week tying a team lead in targets. Despite a back and forth game, the Jags opted for a pass-heavy scheme in Week 7. Kirk was targeted early and often getting open for Trevor Lawrence. Kirk caught a pass right in front of the goal line as time expired, a score would’ve won them the game. Kirk remains a fringe WR2/flex option.
- NBCSportsEDGE
Christian Kirk caught 8-of-9 targets for 76 yards and one touchdown in the Jaguars' Week 9 win over the Raiders.
Kirk paced the team in catches, yards, and targets and was the recipient of Trevor Lawrence's lone touchdown pass. It was a seven-yarder in the third quarter for Kirk's fifth of the season. He's now one off his career-best of six, set in 2020 with the Cardinals. Kirk's eight grabs were his most of the year. He's been more up-and-down of late, but Kirk has settled in as a reliable WR2/3 ahead of a Week 10 date with the Chiefs.
- NBCSportsEDGE
Christian Kirk caught 9-of-12 targets for 105 yards and two touchdowns in the Jaguars' Week 10 loss to the Chiefs.
Kirk's second touchdown saw him perfectly track a lob from Trevor Lawrence while running underneath the pass. The 19-yard score put him over 100 yards for the second time this year. It was also his fifth touchdown as a Jaguar. Kirk separated himself as the Jags' top receiver in this game, earning a 30 percent target share to underpin his strong stat line. If he can keep putting space between himself and the other Jacksonville receivers, he will be a strong bet for WR2 numbers after his Week 11 bye.
Nov 13, 2022, 4:56 PM ET
Christian Kirk caught 3-of-6 targets for 22 yards in the Jaguars' Week 16 win over the Jets.
With wet-and-windy conditions making it difficult for pass catchers not named Evan Engram to post any production, Kirk was held to his second-lowest output of the entire season. Save for Engram, no Jags pass catcher cleared 30 yards. It didn't help, of course, that Kirk and company were contending with the Jets' Sauce Gardner-led secondary. Things will be better in Week 17 against the Texans, where Kirk can still be relied on as a low-end WR2.
Dec 22, 2022, 11:44 PM ET
Christian Kirk caught 7-of-14 targets for 52 yards and a touchdown in the Jaguars' Divisional Round loss to the Chiefs, adding one rush for 18 yards.
It should have been a much bigger stat line for Kirk, who dropped a 60-yard bomb from Trevor Lawrence in the first half and nearly came down with a couple other intermediate receptions. His touchdown came on a perfectly thrown touch pass over the shoulder in the red zone. Kirk quieted critics of his mega offseason deal with the Jaguars by catching 84 passes for 1,108 yards and eight touchdowns, operating as the No. 1 wideout for most of the year. Mainly running routes from the slot, Kirk was Lawrence's most reliable downfield option. He fits well in Doug Pederson's pass-first scheme and will be drafted as a WR2 in 2023 fantasy leagues.
Jan 21, 2023, 11:04 PM ET
Came here to discuss this.What's the outlook for Kirk in 2023 with Ridley joining the O? Buying? Selling?
Christian Kirk caught 1-of-3 targets for nine yards in the Jaguars’ Week 1 win against the Colts.
Kirk went the final three quarters of the game without a catch. It was the worst fears for Kirk come true: Calvin Ridley worked as the Jaguars’ dominant WR1, making the team’s other pass catchers an afterthought. Kirk was fifth on the team in targets. His path to fantasy viability might be more narrow than fantasy managers had believed. He goes against the Chiefs in Week 2.
- Rotoworld