The Jacksonville Jaguars didn't waste any time in filling in the holes on their roster, going on a huge spending spree on the first day of free agency. The team took a chance on former Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Christian Kirk and gave him a four-year, $72 million contract, with a max value of $84 million.
It was certainly more than what was expected for someone of Kirk's caliber, although he did have a career season in 2021. Additionally, the Jaguars also had the cap space to accommodate the deal, so they didn't think twice about adding a player who they think can bolster their receiving unit moving forward to help out Trevor Lawrence.
Certainly enough, huge expectations will be set on Kirk as he tries to prove his worth and live up to the huge contract. With that said, let's take a look at three bold predictions for new Jaguars wide receiver Christian Kirk in the upcoming NFL season.
Christian Kirk 2022 bold predictions with Jaguars
3. Christian Kirk will fit in seamlessly with the Jaguars right from the get-go
Given that they've invested a hefty sum for his services, the Jaguars will most likely bank on Christian Kirk as their new top receiver on offense. He isn't the only weapon Trevor Lawrence can go to, as they also have other serviceable options capable of providing timely contributions on the field.
Marvin Jones Jr., Zay Jones, Laviska Shenault Jr., and Evan Engram are currently in the mix as well, but it seems like Kirk will be targeted the most among all of them moving forward. Now poised to be a WR1, this role will allow him to gain more opportunities to make plays than he has ever had throughout his career.
Kirk's familiarity with Jaguars quarterbacks coach Mike McCoy, who was previously the offensive coordinator with the Cardinals, will also be a huge factor in getting him acclimated to his new team. If Kirk gains momentum and develops chemistry with his teammates early on, it won't be hard for him to fit in well and make an impact for his team right from the get-go.
2. He will tally career-high numbers in yardage and touchdowns scored in 2022
Over the years, Christian Kirk was known as a player who thrives in tracking the ball down the field, building a solid rapport with Kyler Murray.
With the help of his former quarterback, Kirk also learned how to be effective as a slot threat while catching passes in the middle of the field. Playing this role enabled him to notch career-best numbers of 982 receiving yards on 77 catches and five touchdowns in 17 games played.
In Jacksonville, he can utilize both playing styles in order to be fully effective on offense. Having a quarterback like Trevor Lawrence will definitely help him get passes in the right places that will allow him to maximize his skill set.
If he manages to stay healthy, Kirk has a huge chance of finally reaching the 1,000-yard mark and even setting a career-best tally in touchdowns next season.
1. Christian Kirk will be productive enough to make himself a household name among receivers by the end of the 2022 season
As of the moment, Christian Kirk is still flying under the radar as compared to the other receivers in the league. Despite his current stature, he still managed to ink a hefty contract in the offseason, which means that people have a level of belief in the things that he can do on the field.
Now set to play for a new team, Kirk will step out of DeAndre Hopkins' shadow in Arizona and get a chance to truly reach his potential in the years to come. Playing alongside a solid QB in Trevor Lawrence and under the leadership of a new coaching staff will also help him in his bid to be productive in 2022.
All Kirk has to do is to remain healthy and maximize the opportunities in order to play at a higher level and finally have the monster breakout season he has been looking for. He is no Cooper Kupp, but the Los Angeles Ram just showed that all it takes is one productive season in order to be a household name in the league.
Many things will have to align, but if Christian Kirk successfully balls out and overperforms for the Jaguars, he could potentially enter himself into greater relevance by the end of the 2022 season. The expectations will certainly be high for the young wide receiver, so we'll see if he lives up to them.
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