Buffalo Bills’ ‘Breakout Star’ Could Replace Stefon Diggs

However, all eyes will be on Khalil Shakir, who will likely enter training camp and possibly the 2024 regular season as Buffalo’s new No. 1 receiver.

Is Khalil Shakir the star of the Buffalo BIlls in 2024?

After catching 39 passes for 611 yards with two touchdowns last season, Shakir’s strong 2023 campaign must have played a role in general manager Brandon Beane’s decision to move on from Diggs and move Shakir up the depth chart.

But Shakir’s best football could be ahead of him.

Pro Football Focus NFL analyst Bradley Locker compiled a list of stars on every AFC team, including Shakir as a player to watch in Buffalo.

“The Bills receiving corps will look drastically different in 2024,” Locker writes for PFF. “And without a clear WR1, Shakir could become Josh Allen’s best option. Shakir had a strong Year 2, producing a 76.9 receiving grade and a 2% drop rate. Additionally, Shakir saw jumps in both yards after the catch per reception and yards per route run. The former fifth-round pick should only develop further in his third campaign.

It would make sense for Shakir to emerge from the fray as Allen’s favorite target, and therefore a potential star in the making.

Especially since, as PFF points out, Allen posted a near-perfect 133.6 passer rating while targeting Shakir, who averaged 7.3 yards after the catch per reception.

Shakir may be best suited to become the Bills’ deep threat and fill the void left in that regard by Diggs.