Is Christian Kirk Or Brian Thomas Jr. The WR1 For The Jaguars?

Is Christian Kirk or Brian Thomas Jr. the WR1 for the Jaguars? Which wideout should fantasy managers draft in 2024? Joey looks at the fantasy value of both Kirk and Thomas.

The Jacksonville Jaguars offense will look a little different in 2024, especially at the wide receiver position. They lost Calvin Ridley -- who signed a multi-year deal with the Tennessee Titans -- in free agency and cut Zay Jones after the 2024 NFL Draft. 

However, the Jaguars replaced them this offseason by signing Gabe Davis in March and drafting Brian Thomas Jr. in the first round of this year's draft. Davis and Thomas will now join Christian Kirk to form a nice trio in the passing game for quarterback Trevor Lawrence. 

But is Kirk or Thomas the Jaguars' WR1? Who is in for a better fantasy season? Let's dive in and find out. 

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Who is the Jacksonville Jaguars' WR1?

Despite the Jaguars selecting Thomas with the 23rd overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Kirk should operate as the team's WR1 during the 2024-2025 season. He not only has thrived in that role in Jacksonville before, but he also has the experience over the rookie to earn that title. 

Kirk entered the 2022 season as the Jaguars' WR1 after signing a four-year, $72 million deal in the offseason. While many thought that Jacksonville overpaid the young wideout, he came out and surprised a lot of people. He caught a career-high 84 passes for 1,108 yards and eight touchdowns in his first season with the team. 

Christian Kirk pic.twitter.com/mNQxzYIKnh

— Jordan de Lugo (@jordandelugo) May 28, 2024

Now, two years later, Kirk should regain that WR1 role following Ridley's departure. Of course, Thomas will be involved on offense throughout the year, but the six-year veteran should have the edge to be the Jaguars' WR1 in 2024.

Who Should I Draft in Fantasy Football?

Both Kirk and Thomas should provide solid fantasy value this upcoming season. However, the former is the better pick in fantasy drafts. The last time we saw the 27-year-old in the WR1 role in Jacksonville, it resulted in a WR11 PPR fantasy finish.

#Jaguars WR Christian Kirk one-handed catch at the first day of OTAs. pic.twitter.com/GbDiqL6giY

— Juston W. Lewis (@JustonLewis_) May 20, 2024

There are more mouths to feed in 2024 compared to 2022 -- when Kirk finished top-12 at the wide receiver position in fantasy -- especially with Davis, Thomas, and Evan Engram likely getting their fair share of targets on offense. Nevertheless, don't sleep on Kirk in fantasy this year. A top-20 finish is certainly attainable again for him. 

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