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Christian Kirk

Arrest won't help second-rounder join Smith-Schuster, Thomas

The Cardinals selected Christian Kirk in the second round of the draft, and there was some hope he might contribute right away. The Cardinals have Larry Fitzgerald and not much else at the position; not much proven anyway.

But Kirk has a February arrest for disorderly conduct and property damage that came out yesterday. Arizona knew about it when he was drafted, and it might not be a huge deal. But a league suspension of some sort is possible, and that would just increase the likelihood that he doesn’t make a rookie year impact.

Over the last 10 years, there have been 42 wide receivers selected in the second round of the draft. Only seven have put up top-40 fantasy numbers in their rookie seasons. (Those players are in bold.)

2ND-ROUND ROOKIE WIDE RECEIVERS, 2008-2017
YearPkPlayerNoYdsTDFFRk
201737Zay Jones, Buff.27316289th
201740Curtis Samuel, Car.15115099th+
201762JuJu Smith-Schuster, Pitt.58917815th
201640Sterling Shepard, NYG65683835th
201647Michael Thomas, N.O.92113798th
201655Tyler Boyd, Cin.54603170th
201537Devin Smith, NYJ9115199th+
201540Dorial Green-Beckham, Tenn.32549455th
201541Devin Funchess, Car.31473557th
201439Marqise Lee, Jac.37422193rd
201442Jordan Matthews, Phil.67872825th
201445Paul Richardson, Sea.29271199th+
201453Davante Adams, G.B.38446377th
201456Cody Latimer, Den.223099th+
201461Allen Robinson, Jac.48548267th
201463Jarvis Landry, Mia.84758542nd
201334Justin Hunter, Tenn.18354475th
201341Robert Woods, Buff.40587357th
201359Aaron Dobson, N.E.37519459th
201233Brian Quick, St.L.111562114th
201243Stephen Hill, NYJ21252393rd
201245Alshon Jeffery, Chi.24367381st
201254Ryan Broyles, Det.22310295th
201263Rueben Randle, NYG19298388th
201144Titus Young, Det.48607644th
201158Torrey Smith, Balt.50841724th
201159Greg Little, Clev.61709253rd
201164Randall Cobb, G.B.25375179th
201036Dexter McCluster, K.C.21209199th+
201039Arrelious Benn, T.B.25395290th
201060Golden Tate, Sea.21227099th+
200936Brian Robiskie, Clev.7106099th+
200950Mohamed Massaquoi, Clev.34624359th
200833Donnie Avery, St.L.53674342nd
200834Devin Thomas, Wash.15120199th+
200836Jordy Nelson, G.B.33366284th
200841James Hardy, Buff.987299th+
200842Eddie Royal, Den.91980519th
200846Jerome Simpson, Cin.12099th+
200849DeSean Jackson, Phil.62912426th
200851Malcolm Kelly, Wash.318099th+
200853Limas Sweed, Pitt.664099th+

In Kirk's favor, three of those guys have done it in the last two seasons: Michael Thomas, Sterling Shepard and JuJu Smith-Schuster (pictured). But two of the others were a decade ago. Odds are against a big rookie-year impact.

—Andy Richardson

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