ARIZONA CARDINALS

WR Christian Kirk says it would be ‘surreal’ to be drafted by Cardinals

Mar 22, 2018, 12:05 PM | Updated: 9:28 pm

Saguaro High School product Christian Kirk set fire to the Arizona state records before heading off to play in college for Kevin Sumlin at Texas A&M.

Kirk recorded at least 919 receiving yards in each of his first three seasons for the Aggies and scored 26 touchdowns, not to mention seven more scores as a return man. The 5-foot-11, 200-pound receiver enters the 2018 NFL Draft as one of the top-five players at his position in the class.

For an Arizona Cardinals team that has so far lost two regular wideouts — Jaron Brown and John Brown — and has yet to sign replacements in free agency, the interest between the native Arizonan draft prospect appears mutual.

“Oh, without a doubt,” Kirk told NFL Network when asked if he’d like to land with the Cardinals. “I love the state of Arizona, born and raised a Valley kid. I actually had a private visit with them already. Got to to sit down with the GM, wide receiver coach, the offensive coordinator, have dinner and what not, and definitely really like their staff and what they have going on over there.

“It would definitely be surreal if I could go and play there.”

Kirk left Saguaro with three state titles, 6,617 total yards and a record 103 touchdowns. While he played mostly in the slot at Texas A&M, he’s told NFL teams during interviews he views himself as a more versatile option.

“There’s definitely some people that just kind of pigeonhole me and say I’m just a slot receiver because of what I did in college,” Kirk said. “I definitely believe I can play on the outside and just be an overall dynamic wide receiver. I told all the teams at the combine that’s what I want to do — play on the outside and inside.”

For the Cardinals, believing that would go a way in fitting Kirk next to veteran Larry Fitzgerald, who under former coach Bruce Arians played inside more than outside.

Fitzgerald opted this offseason to return for his 15th NFL season, but the Cardinals have questions of how they’ll fill in the receiver group alongside the future Hall of Famer.

J.J. Nelson is back and has a lot to prove regarding his consistency. He caught 29 passes (61 targets) for 508 yards.

Second-year pro Chad Williams hopes to take a major step forward after he saw limited action toward the end of the year, catching three balls for 31 yards.

While Kirk hasn’t met lately with Fitzgerald, who is currently on vacation, he is familiar with the Cardinals’ All-Pro receiver — and Fitzgerald is familiar with him.

“I definitely have had plenty of conversations with him and he’s definitely shown a lot of support,” Kirk said.

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