Is Christian Kirk the answer to the Dallas Cowboys prayers?

CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 29: Christian Kirk
CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 29: Christian Kirk /
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For years, the Dallas Cowboys have needed a deep threat wide receiver who can stretch the field. Is Texas A&M’s Christian Kirk the answer to their prayers?

The Dallas Cowboys wide receiver corps had a major problem last season. None of them could gain separation from their defenders on a consistent basis. It’s the main reason this positional group was the most underperforming on the entire team.

Dez Bryant is clearly not the player he once was. Although Dez was never the fastest player on the field, his physicality overpowered defenders. Terrance Williams has always been a bodycatcher who relies on good route running to get open. Cole Beasley was the master of the slot in 2016. But defenses shut him down this past season. He was a fraction of the player he was just a year before.

The fact is, this wide receiver unit has been in desperate need of a speedy deep threat for years. Some hoped Brice Butler could fill that role, but he was far too inconsistent and dropped too many passes.

This offseason, the Cowboys have vowed to cater this offense to third-year quarterback Dak Prescott. And for me, that starts by finding Dak a new, dynamic offense weapon. And one former player-turned-analyst believes that playmaker could be Texas A&M wide receiver Christian Kirk. And he has the Cowboys picking Kirk with the 19th overall selection in the first round of the upcoming NFL draft.

"“They have talked about making this offense more Dak Friendly. That to me means their going to be more spread orientated, do some things that really fits the talents of the quarterback. But they need a route runner on the outside,” said Bucky Brooks on the Move The Sticks podcast. ” … they need someone that can get it down, stretch the field vertically, but also work the underneath areas. Christian Kirk could be that guy.”"

The 2018 NFL Draft is being held at AT&T Stadium for the first time. And you know Cowboys owner Jerry Jones would love to make a big splash with his team’s top pick. And selecting an Aggie receiver in Kirk would do just that.

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One of the more polished wide receivers in this draft class, Christian Kirk can come into Dallas Week One as a starter. The 5-11, 200 pound wide out recorded 71 receptions for 919 yards and 10 touchdowns as a junior. And despite his smallish stature, Kirk is a dynamic playmaker who could eclipse Bryant as the Cowboys’ top receiving option as a rookie. He reminds me a lot of former Carolina Panthers receiver Steve Smith.