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Grading the top 5 rookie WRs drafted in 2018

By Joel Deering

ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: A video board displays an image of D.J. Moore of Maryland after he was picked #24 overall by the Carolina Panthers during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: A video board displays an image of D.J. Moore of Maryland after he was picked #24 overall by the Carolina Panthers during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – OCTOBER 07: Christian Kirk #13 of the Arizona Cardinals runs after a catch against the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on October 7, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – OCTOBER 07: Christian Kirk #13 of the Arizona Cardinals runs after a catch against the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on October 7, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images) /

5. 47th Overall Pick – Christian Kirk – Arizona Cardinals

Games Played: 8

Games Started: 4

Receiving Stats: 31 receptions for 410 yards, an average of 13.2 yards per catch and 2 TDs.

Analysis: Despite playing for a 2-6 team and going through the growing pains of rookie QB Josh Rosen, Christian Kirk is having a great rookie season. Kirk ranks second in receptions and receiving yards among rookie WRs, behind first-round rookie WR Calvin Ridley.

What might be most impressive about Kirk’s rookie season to this point, is the fact that he’s leading the Arizona Cardinals in receiving yards. Yes, he has more receiving yards than Larry Fitzgerald.

It’s obvious Kirk has a good connection with his rookie QB. Assuming Rosen develops into the QB he was drafted to be, Kirk and Rosen could be one of the better QB to WR duos in the league within the next few years.

Since Josh Rosen took over the starting QB job in week four, Kirk has had at least three receptions in every game. In three of those five games, Kirk had 50-plus yards receiving.

I believe that if Christian Kirk was playing for the Falcons and had a QB like Matt Ryan, he’d easily have put up very similar numbers to Calvin Ridley. Their numbers are pretty similar already, but Ridley has five more TD catches than Kirk.

Kirk is pace to end the season with 62 receptions for 820 yards and 4 TDs. For being a rookie and being on one of the NFL’s worst teams, those are some good numbers.

Grade: A

How would you grade the rookie WRs to this point in the season? Do you feel they’ve lived up to their draft status? Let us know in the comments!

Don’t forget to go back and take a look at my grades for the top five rookie QBs and RBs drafted in the 2018 NFL Draft!

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