Khalil Shakir Fantasy
One team that made a drastic change on offense this offseason was the Buffalo Bills. The shocking trading of Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans leaves the Bills without a true number-one wide receiver. But they still have an elite quarterback in Josh Allen, so you know their passing offense is bound for success. Allen should be able to make a few of the Bills’ weapons exciting for fantasy football. One player who no one is talking about is Khalil Shakir. He was the Bills’ fifth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft; entering his third year, he is expected to be as involved as ever in the offense. Let’s look at Shakir and his path to fantasy success in 2024.
Fantasy managers should be excited about Shakir mainly because of his offensive coordinator. The Bills fired OC Ken Dorsey after ten games last season, and Joe Brady took over that role. Shakir saw a substantial uptick in playing time and production once Brady took over. From weeks 11-18, Shakir caught 20 passes for 363 yards and one touchdown. Those 363 yards led all Bills wide receivers during that span. While that may not be impressive, he was battling to receive targets from Diggs and Gabe Davis. Yet, both of those players are no longer with the team. That means 241 targets walked out the door, and someone must pick them up. It is safe to assume the Bills will throw the ball at a high rate again. Last season under Brady, the Bills were 16th in pass attempts per game. But you know they will want the ball in Allen’s hands as much as possible this season. That is why a slight uptick in the pass rate should be expected.
The Bills’ current wide receiver depth chart includes Shakir, Keon Coleman, and Curtis Samuel. However, tight end Dalton Kincaid is expected to be the top pass-catcher. Shakir’s ability to get open and his efficiency could separate him from his counterparts. The Bills’ training camp reports show that Shakir continues to get open. He is building chemistry with Allen, which can go a long way during the season. Shakir was number one in the NFL in yards per target last season at 13.6. Likewise, his accuracy per target was 8.3, tied for first in the NFL. Shakir has all the underlying metrics of a player that could be in for a breakout year.
What will be interesting to see from Shakir in 2024 is where he lines up. Last season, he spent most of his time lined up in the slot. He played 361 of his 680 snaps in the slot. He can still put up significant fantasy numbers even if he spends most of his time in the slot. Shakir does not have the size or speed to be a dominant outside target. Yet, more opportunities in that spot could create more touchdowns. Shakir’s red zone usage was concerning, as he only caught two passes in that area all season. That was part of why he ended the year with only two touchdowns on 39 receptions. All fantasy managers want players who will score TDs, and Shakir must improve in that area.
Shakir has an ADP of WR58. You can select him around 150th overall and grab him in the 12th or 13th round. That puts him in the same area as players like Joshua Palmer, Romeo Doubs, and teammate Curtis Samuel. When selecting a player that late in the draft, it is about finding upside. That means looking for players with traits and the opportunity to be successful. No one knows how the Bills’ receiving core is going to perform. So, it may be challenging to choose between Samuel and Shakir. But Shakir is the younger player and has far less injury risk. If you are looking for a high-upside receiver to fill out your bench, Shakir is a sharp selection.
