(Editor's Note: While the start of the 2018 NFL Draft isn't until April 26, it's never too early to profile some of the key participants. The staff of DallasCowboys.com intends to preview the landscape of the draft's top prospect, with an emphasis on possible Cowboys draft picks – from the first round to the last. Today's featured player is Texas A&M wide receiver Christian Kirk.)
- Name: Christian Kirk
- Position: Wide Receiver
- College: Texas A&M
- Height/Weight: 5-10 / 201
- Key Stat: As a sophomore in 2016, Kirk was a first-team All-SEC pick at three different positions: wide receiver, return specialist, all-purpose player. He was also a first-team all-purpose All-American in 2017.
- Honors: Known for his dynamic return skills, Kirk is also the first Texas A&M player in school history to post consecutive 80+ catch seasons.
Where He's Projected:
Kirk is probably a second-round pick unless a team wants him bad enough to lock him up for five years and draft him in the first round. It's unlikely the Cowboys will get him at No. 19 but there's a better chance to take him around 50. But Kirk is a guy that has to be a good fit for a scheme. That can be the reason he falls, or the reason he is drafted higher than most analysts are expecting.
How He Helps The Cowboys:
He's explosive and the Cowboys don't have enough of those players. While Kirk is more of a slot receiver, something the Cowboys currently have with Cole Beasley and Ryan Switzer, he has plenty of playmaking ability at Texas A&M. Kirk has made catches down the field but is more of a run-after-catch player, which helps this passing game and Dak Prescott. Kirk is also a dynamic punt and kick returner.
Quick off the ball.
Has some juice.
Runs routes at same speed.
Can really separate.
Can snatch the ball.
Quick in and out of breaks.
Start-stop quickness in routes.
Option routes.
Can adjust to the ball.
Can track the ball.
Knows how to work his feet.
Can explode with the ball in his hands.
Puts a lot of pressure on the defense out of the slot.
Will go get the ball all over the field.
Questions are whether he can play on the outside?
Most of his production is from the slot.
Will have to prove he can function on the outside.
