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 beat writer Joe Buscaglia reports that WR Khalil Shakir is dealing with an injury. Details are unclear, but Buscaglia observed the rookie with a taped-up leg and speculated that it might be soft-tissue related. It’s “to be determined” whether or not Shakir will be ready for the upcoming OTA or minicamp in mid-June. Regardless, Shakir remains an intriguing dynasty stash and a redraft long-shot.
Bills beat writer Matt Parrino writes that WR Khalil Shakir’s first step has been “noticeably difficult to contend with” in rookie OTAs. The 5th-rounder was a sharp route runner coming out of Boise State. And he posted an elite 1.49-second 10-yard split at the Combine, so his short-area burst is clear. A crowded depth chart makes Shakir a redraft long-shot, but the team’s WR3 role could be his as soon as 2023. See where he landed in our post-draft dynasty rookie rankings.
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.
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