3 Jaguars that showed out vs. Commanders in Week 1 loss
No. 2 Jaguars player that stood out vs. the Commanders: Christian Kirk, WR
Drafting outside linebacker Travon Walker was seen as a massive reach but that wasn’t the only acquisition general manager Trent Baalke made that earned him scrutiny. Back in free agency, he gave wide receiver Christian Kirk a four-year, $72 million contract despite the fact that he had never had more than 1,000 yards in a season in any of his first four years in the league.
Baalke said at the time of the signing that he liked Kirk’s big-play potential and his ability to line up at different spots. It’s just one game but it seems like the former Texas A&M Auggie is everything the Jags bargained for.
Against the Commanders, Kirk was targeted 10 times and caught six passes for 117 yards. He averaged nearly 20 yards per reception and earned a Pro Football Focus overall grade of 79.1. His 49-yard catch was a perfect example of why the Jags signed him in free agency.
Power run sets up the play action. @Trevorlawrencee and @ckirk connect on a beautiful 49-yard BOMB to set up the TD.#JAXvsWAS on FOX pic.twitter.com/LVMtTJxCZv
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) September 11, 2022
The Jags scored a touchdown three plays later and narrowed the Commanders’ lead to just five points. While Kirk showed the kind of impact he can have on offense, he told the media Monday that he and the team could have been better.
“There’s a lot of missed opportunities”, Kirk said. “That was one of the glaring things that we saw on tape today… “there are some things that were going to correct and get better from and get ready for the Colts”.