Buffalo Bills WR touted as breakout candidate for 2024

The Buffalo Bills subtracted their top two receivers this offseason, trading away Stefon Diggs and allowing Gabe Davis to walk via free agency.

The last few months have certainly not been comfortable for the Bills, who have had to scramble to find targets for quarterback Josh Allen.

Buffalo was successful in recruiting Curtis Samuel and selected Florida State’s Keon Coleman in the second round of the NFL Draft.

However, who will actually become the Bills’ No. 1 receiver remains unknown. Buffalo has become accustomed to Diggs filling that role since 2020, and Davis was right behind him as the No. 2 pick.

But Bradley Locker of Pro Football Focus sees one potential candidate for the Bills at wide receiver: Khalil Shakir.

Shakir flew under the radar in 2023, but he had a solid year, hauling in 39 receptions for 611 yards and a couple touchdowns as Buffalo’s third receiver.

The 24-year-old, who played college football at Boise State, was selected by the Bills in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft.

He played a very limited role during his rookie campaign, recording just 10 catches for 161 yards and one score. Obviously, his role increased last season, and it should continue to intensify in 2024.

Locker notes that Shakir had an impressive 76.9 grade last season and only had a 2 percent dropout rate, so he should be a safe target for Allen in September.

He adds that Shakir has also shown promise in what he has done post-capture in 2023.

Allen could end up favoring Shakir over Samuel and Coleman next season because he’s already familiar with the speedy receiver.

Does Shakir have what it takes to be a legitimate No. 1 guy? He definitely showed his abilities in college, catching 77 passes for 1,117 yards and seven touchdowns in his final season at Boise State.

Of course, whether or not this will translate to the professional level remains to be seen, but there is no doubt that Shakir has shown some potential in 2023.

Buffalo has won four straight AFC East titles and made five straight trips to the playoffs. Obviously, with the mass exodus of players leaving the Bills due to financial constraints this offseason, that postseason streak is in jeopardy.

But if the Bills can get significant production out of Shakir, it will certainly boost their chances.