Jaguars wide receiver has found much greater success after shift in role
Christian Kirk's career wasn't exactly one that started off at blazing speed. And there are a number of reasons why. Selected by the Arizona Cardinals with the 47th pick of the 2018 NFL Draft, Kirk faced several challenges early in his career. His fellow draft class member, QB Josh Rosen, started most of the 2018 […]
Christian Kirk's career wasn't exactly one that started off at blazing speed. And there are a number of reasons why.
Selected by the Arizona Cardinals with the 47th pick of the 2018 NFL Draft, Kirk faced several challenges early in his career. His fellow draft class member, QB Josh Rosen, started most of the 2018 season for the 3-13 Cardinals and struggled mightily, throwing 11 touchdowns to 14 interceptions. The Cardinals drafted Kyler Murray the following year, who won the 2019 AP NFL rookie of the year award. The change helped Kirk, who increased his targets, catches, and receiving yardage from the previous year.
And just as it seemed as though Murray and Kirk were on the rise together, the Cardinals traded for WR DeAndre Hopkins in March 2020. While Kirk's receiving touchdowns increased, his targets, catches, and yardage decreased.
It was in the 2021 season that Kirk's career took a sharp turn for the better. And it was all thanks to where Kirk was lining up on the field.
Kirk shifted to the Cardinals' slot receiver, and he put up then-career bests in catches (77) and yards (982). The Jaguars liked what they saw and brought in Kirk in the 2022 offseason, signing him to a 4-year, $72 million contract. And some might have wondered what the Jaguars saw in a receiver that had yet to break 1000 receiving yards in his four years.
Clearly the Jags saw what Kirk did in 2021 and realized the force he could be in the slot. And that's where he played the large majority of the time in 2022, and Jags fans know the rest of the story.
According to Pro Football Focus, Kirk has played over 75% of his snaps from the slot over the last two seasons. Kirk's 1.75 yards per route run in 2022 was seventh best of all slot receivers, just ahead of Tampa Bay's Chris Godwin.
And it's not hard to understand why. Kirk's crips route running combined with his agility and sure hands have made him a mismatch in the middle of the field.
Kirk and the Jaguars have proven that sometimes you can see something in a player that others can't or haven't. And for Jacksonville, it was as easy as observing a simple five-yard trot inwards.
Featured image via Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
