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Cleveland Browns: 5 Cardinals to watch in Week 15

By Casey Kinnamon

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - SEPTEMBER 29: Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns calls a play in the huddle against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on September 29, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - SEPTEMBER 29: Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns calls a play in the huddle against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on September 29, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 10: Christian Kirk #13 of the Arizona Cardinals looks to make a reception thrown by Kyler Murray #1 during the second quarter of a football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on November 10, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 10: Christian Kirk #13 of the Arizona Cardinals looks to make a reception thrown by Kyler Murray #1 during the second quarter of a football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on November 10, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /

Christian Kirk

Second-year receiver Christian Kirk has emerged as the Cardinals lead receiver, a spot that has belonged to Larry Fitzgerald for the last 15 years. Kirk returned from an injury in week eight and has dominated the targets amongst the Cardinals wide receivers since then. Make no mistake this is still Larry Fitzgerald’s team, and while Fitzgerald does most of the dirty work, it is Christian Kirk who now plays the role of lead receiver and is taking the top off defenses.

Kirk has 57 receptions on the year despite missing three games earlier in the season with a right ankle injury. The chemistry between Kyler Murray and Kirk has heated up since the receivers return to the lineup, earning himself at least nine targets in three of the last four games. Murray has shown tremendous confidence in Kirk and often looks for him when being pressured.

The second-round pick out of Texas A&M has taken the next step in his pro career this season and looks to be part of the Cardinals plans going forward. Coming out of college, Kirk was projected to be a candidate to work in the slot, but in head coach Kliff Kingsbury’s offense Kirk has primarily lived on the outside. When the Cardinals are looking to take a shot down the field, which they do often, it is Kirk they will be looking for.

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