While Bills WR Jamison Crowder has been sidelined with "general soreness," WR Isaiah McKenzie has been a "standout almost every day since camp began," The Athletic's Joe Buscaglia writes. "He is playing at the top of his game right now, full of confidence and knowing a big opportunity awaits if he stacks good days," Buscaglia adds. "If he continues to play like this and Crowder keeps missing time, McKenzie could end this battle quickly." We're not calling this one yet, but McKenzie certainly looks like the favorite to open the season as Buffalo's starting slot receiver. He's worth a look late in PPR drafts.
Bills WR Khalil Shakir has been an early standout in training camp, with multiple beat writers praising his play. Shakir has "looked sharp," Sal Capaccio wrote. "The rookie wideout was all over the field on Monday, catching passes at all different levels and spots." It's been assumed that Jamison Crowder and Isaiah McKenzie are competing for the starting slot receiver job, but don't count out Shakir.
The Bills opened training camp Sunday morning with WR Isaiah McKenzie running in the slot with the 1st team, according to Aaron Quinn of the Cover 1 Buffalo podcast. Veteran free-agent addition Jamison Crowder, meanwhile, was splitting 2nd-team reps with rookie Khalil Shakir. It could just be the Bills leaning toward the incumbent to open camp, but the Buffalo News also called McKenzie the "slight favorite" to win the starting slot gig earlier in the week. The Bills added Crowder on just a 1-year, $2 million contract -- far from starter money for a WR. We'll keep watching this competition through the summer. It looks like we should at least consider McKenzie the leader for now, though.
Bills insider Vic Carucci believes WR Jamison Crowder will earn the team's slot role. The 29-year-old signed for $2 million on a 1-year deal early in free agency. Carucci also believes WR Isaiah McKenzie will retain "more of a specialty role” for new OC Ken Dorsey. Crowder is the preferred fantasy target, but we'll keep a close eye on this battle come training camp.
After watching OTAs and minicamp, The Athletic's Joe Buscaglia believes WRs Jamison Crowder and Isaiah McKenzie will compete for slot snaps in training camp. "If Crowder and McKenzie keep these positive days going in training camp, the Bills will have a difficult decision to make regarding playing time," Buscaglia writes. Crowder is the more accomplished player of the 2. But both guys are making about the same amount of money this season, and McKenzie has the advantage of experience in this offense and with QB Josh Allen. Crowder is WR66 in recent FFPC ADP, while McKenzie is down at WR94.
The Bills traded up 20 spots -- sending a 6th-round pick to Chicago -- to grab Boise State WR Khalil Shakir in Round 5. "I really like that young man," GM Brandon Beane said. "He's tough, he's smart, he's versatile. And I think with the ball in his hands he's pretty good too." We were a bit surprised to see Shakir last until the 5th round. He was our 15th-ranked WR pre-draft. The 6'0, 196-pounder played both outside and in the slot in college but projects best as a slot in the NFL. WR Jamison Crowder is currently Buffalo's starting slot, but he's only signed for 2022. Check out our full scouting report on Shakir.
The Bills added Boise State WR Khalil Shakir in the 5th round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Shakir was a 4-year player and 3-year starter for the Broncos, capping his career with a 77-1,117-7 line last season. He ranked 10th among 251 WRs with 50+ targets in Pro Football Focus’ receiving grades. Shakir also added 414 yards and 4 TDs on 71 carries across his 4 college seasons. He played both outside the numbers and in the slot for Boise State but projects best inside in the pros. Shakir goes 6’0, 196 pounds with a 2nd percentile wingspan and 1st percentile arm length. He earned an 83rd percentile Relative Athletic Score at the Combine but doesn’t look like a high-end athlete on tape. Shakir figures to compete for #4 WR duties in Buffalo this season but could take over as QB Josh Allen’s slot receiver as early as 2023. WR Jamison Crowder is on a 1-year deal.
WR Jamison Crowder has inked a 1-year deal with the Bills worth "up to" $4 million, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo. Crowder is coming off a disappointing 2021 season, averaging a career-low 8.8 yards on 51 catches across 12 games for the Jets. But he'll turn just 29 in June and averaged 4.9 catches and 54.4 yards per game between 2019 and 2020. Crowder looks like a natural replacement in Buffalo for Cole Beasley, who finished 34th, 27th and 41st among WRs in PPR points the last 3 seasons.
The Jets “really want to re-sign” WR Braxton Berrios, per beat writer Rich Cimini. Berrios, 26, came on strong late in the year, catching 5+ balls in 3 of his final 4 games. He even earned an All-Pro nod for his kick return performance. If the Jets bring back Berrios and move on from Jamison Crowder -- another free agent -- it’s possible the former carries some sleeper value into summer drafts. Of course, a lot will ride on the development of Zach Wilson -- 1 of Pro Football Focus' lowest graded passers of 2021.
Jets WR Jamison Crowder aggravated his calf injury in the 1st half of Sunday's game vs. the Bills and is done for the day.
Jets WR Braxton Berrios (quad) was placed on IR and is out for today’s game vs. the Bills. WR Jamison Crowder is back from his calf injury and should be New York’s top option in the passing game.
Jets WR Braxton Berrios (quad) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game vs. the Bills after missing practice all week. WR Jamison Crowder (calf) practiced all 3 days, including a full workout on Friday, and isn't listed on the final injury report. Crowder will be back as the Jets' primary slot receiver on Sunday and is a lower-end option in PPR leagues.
Jets WR Jamison Crowder (calf) was limited in Wednesday's practice. WR Braxton Berrios (quad) was sidelined. We'll see which of these slot receivers is able to play vs. the Bills this weekend.
Jets WR Jamison Crowder (calf) is inactive for today’s game vs. the Bucs. Braxton Berrios gets another game as New York’s primary slot receiver but would be a desperation fantasy play.
Jets WR Jamison Crowder (calf) is listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game vs. the Bucs. Braxton Berrios figures to get another game as New York’s primary slot receiver but would be a desperation fantasy play.
Jets WR Jamison Crowder (calf) remained sidelined on Wednesday. That doesn't bode well for his chances of returning for this weekend's game vs. the Bucs. With Crowder out last week, Braxton Berrios operated as New York's primary slot receiver, posting a 5-37 line on 6 targets.
Jets WR Jamison Crowder (calf) is inactive for today’s game vs. the Jaguars. That leaves Braxton Berrios as New York’s slot receiver – and a desperation play in PPR leagues.
Jets WR Jamison Crowder (calf) did not practice all week and is listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game vs. the Jaguars. Crowder’s absence will leave Braxton Berrios as New York’s slot receiver – and a desperation play in PPR leagues.
Jets WR Jamison Crowder (calf) missed his 2nd straight practice on Thursday. He appears to be in danger of missing Sunday's game vs. the Jaguars. Crowder's absence would make Braxton Berrios the Jets' primary slot receiver -- and a desperation option in PPR leagues.
Jets WR Jamison Crowder missed Wednesday's practice with a calf issue. He seemed to make it out of last week's loss to the Dolphins fine, but we'll keep an eye on Crowder's status over the next few days.
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