Kirk: Jaguars' WR group has 'potential' to be special

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Christian Kirk believes the team's receiving corps can be one of the best in the league this season.

"I've been a part of some special ones," Kirk said, according to team reporter John Oehser. "I've been in the room with a couple Hall of Famers. We have the potential. I wouldn't say we're there yet, but we have the potential top to bottom, not only production-wise but just from a professionalism and character standpoint."

He added: "It's just a lot of fun getting to go to work with these types of guys."

The 26-year-old spent the first four years of his career with the Arizona Cardinals, where he played with all-time great wideouts Larry Fitzgerald and DeAndre Hopkins.

Kirk signed a four-year, $72-million deal with the Jaguars in 2022, making him one of the highest-paid wide receivers in the league. Many criticized the signing, but Kirk went on to lead the team in receptions (84) and receiving yards (1,108).

Jacksonville made a splash at last year's trade deadline by acquiring wide receiver Calvin Ridley for a conditional draft pick. Though Ridley was suspended for the entire 2022 season for betting on NFL games, he's now been reinstated and is expected to be quarterback Trevor Lawrence's top target in 2023.

"Everybody's just bought in," Kirk said. "We're all bought into winning. We all understand that there are a lot of mouths to feed, that we have a lot of talent, and there's only one ball. But nobody really cares about that. Everybody's focused on winning one week at a time and taking this thing as it progresses."

The Jaguars' wide receiver depth chart also includes Zay Jones, Jamal Agnew, Kevin Austin, and Tim Jones.

Jacksonville kicks off its season Sept. 10 against the Indianapolis Colts.