While injuries limited his season in 2023, Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Christian Kirk is hoping to return to upper-level status, which would certainly be a plus for fantasy football managers.
But exactly how much should fantasy managers expect from Kirk this season?
Here’s the fantasy outlook for Kirk entering the 2024 NFL season.
Christian Kirk’s Fantasy Profile for the 2024 NFL Season
On the surface, Kirk’s numbers in 12 games last season do not look very impressive. Just 57 receptions and 787 receiving yards — both his fewest since 2020 — in 2023 were hardly inspiring for fantasy managers. But Kirk’s season requires a little deeper examination.
Kirk averaged a career-high 65.6 receiving yards per game, and his catch percentage (67.1%) was the second-highest of his career. In addition, his yards per reception (13.8) was a career-high, and his yards per target (9.3) was the second highest of his career.
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In terms of fantasy production, Kirk averaged 12.5 fantasy points per game (PPG), which ranked 33rd among wide receivers, and was down from his 2022 season (14.2 fantasy PPG).
But he also showed he was a big-game performer. Both of his two 100-yard receiving games last season came against the two teams that reached the Super Bowl, the Kansas City Chiefs (11 receptions, 110 receiving yards) and the San Francisco 49ers (six receptions, 104 receiving yards).
Is Kirk a Good Fantasy Pick?
Kirk is the WR30 in Pro Football Network’s Consensus Fantasy Football Rankings as of Aug. 19.
Kirk has averaged at least 12 fantasy PPG in each of the last three seasons, so fantasy managers can probably figure out where he projects for the 2024 season.
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Kirk has a quality quarterback to throw him the ball in Trevor Lawrence, and with Calvin Ridley moving on to the Tennessee Titans, the opportunity could be there for Kirk to become the Jaguars’ No. 1 wide receiver.
However, with Gabe Davis coming over from the Buffalo Bills and the Jaguars drafting Brian Thomas Jr. in the third round out of Louisiana State, the Jaguars’ wide receiver position looks a lot deeper than last season, which could take away some of the opportunities for Kirk.
Not to mention, Jacksonville has one of the top tight ends in the NFL in Evan Engram, who is coming off an impressive 143-target, 114-reception season in 2023. His continued success, while good for the Jaguars, may not help out Kirk’s fantasy production.
Along with that, the Jaguars seemingly have a brutal schedule coming out of the gate, with the first four games coming against the Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns, Buffalo Bills, and Houston Texans, with only the Browns coming to Jacksonville.
Of those first four opponents, three — Cleveland, Buffalo, and Miami — ranked in the top 10 in total defense last season.
Kirk may not be worth picking up for your team in the early rounds, but once the middle rounds arrive, it’s worth examining his fantasy potential.