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.
Bills QB Josh Allen gave an update on the offense under new OC Ken Dorsey. “It doesn’t feel like we’ve missed a step,” Allen said. “Obviously, it’s a different voice in the headset, a different mind, calling the plays. The verbiage is still the same. The protections are still the same. We’ve switched up a couple things here and there with concepts and thought processes, but we’re able to call the same play and understand our players know this play like the back of their hand and it’s just our job to go out there and execute.” Continuity was always the biggest benefit of promoting Dorsey, and it sounds like that’s bearing out. Allen is rightfully coming off the board 1st among QBs in early fantasy drafts.
Bills beat writer Joe Buscaglia described RB Dalvin Cook’s pass catching as “smooth” in OTAs.“It wouldn’t be a surprise to envision him having a role just a bit bigger than a normal complementary back,” Buscaglia wrote. All indications are that Cook’s off to a strong start in Buffalo. He checks in as a top-40 RB in redraft.
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.
Commanders WR Curtis Samuel is participating in this week's OTAs. That's notable because he was available for only 84 snaps all last season due to a lingering groin injury that required offseason surgery. “I’m great," Samuel told reporters Tuesday. "Y’all saw me flying around out there." Samuel faces added target competition with the arrival of 1st-round rookie WR Jahan Dotson. But Washington gave him a 3-year, $34.5 million contract with $23 million guaranteed last offseason, so we're expecting him to be a significant part of the offense -- barring injury.
Steelers beat writer Ray Fittipaldo believes QB Kenny Pickett must “blow their doors off to beat out [Mitch] Trubisky to start the season opener.” We’d be surprised if Pickett doesn’t start games in 2022. But the point stands that Trubisky — with 50 career starts — has the upper hand early on. Our current QB projections have Pickett starting the majority of Pittsburgh's games next season.
Bills beat writer Jay Skurski believes there should be “minimal growing pains” in year 1 with OC Ken Dorsey. The former college football star just served as Buffalo’s QB coach/pass game coordinator, so there’s desirable continuity. Dorsey, who’s never called plays at any level, is taking over for new Giants HC Brian Daboll. Skurski mentions the possibility of using more 2-TE sets and throwing to RBs more frequently — obvious dot-connecting following the arrivals of O.J. Howard and rookie James Cook. Allen remains an elite QB1.
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.
Pats beat writer Khari Thompson believes the team won’t re-sign RB Damien Harris, unless both sides agree on a “very team-friendly deal.” New England has a promising RB already paired with Harris in Rhamondre Stevenson. And just last week, RBs Pierre Strong and Kevin Harris arrived inside the first 6 rounds of the draft. For 2022, Harris slots in as an RB3.
Bills GM Brandon Beane loves rookie RB James Cook's pass-catching ability. "He's got really good hands," Beane said. "Very instinctive in the pass game ... Some guys just have the feel like a slot receiver. It's the feel of what you're getting -- whether to sit down in zone or run by your man. He's got speed ... You can feel his speed with the ball in his hands." Cook is the favorite to immediately take over as Buffalo's primary pass-catching back ahead of Devin Singletary. The big question is how much rushing volume he'll garner. Cook goes just 199 pounds and never topped 113 carries across 4 college seasons. "We see his best skill set as a sub back, but I think he can handle carries too if we wanna give him some more carries," said Beane.
Commanders WR Curtis Samuel provided an update on his recovery from groin surgery. “I’ve been training and working out, and I haven’t been limited to anything,” he said. “I’ve been doing pretty much everything that I used to be able to do — running fast, cutting fast. I’m just feeling good overall, and I’m excited about it. This upcoming season, I got a lot of goals.” Samuel and his trainer have made it a point to work on stride efficiency to ensure he’s not putting necessary stress on his legs. “Control the stride to make sure they maintain their speed,” trainer Pete Bommarito said. “That’s what we really did. It was just focusing on that. When he over-strides and he can’t control it, he does feel those nagging issues. But that’s not unique to him; that’s the case for almost everybody that’s blazing fast like him in any sport.” Samuel took a short-term hit with the arrival of Round 1 WR Jahan Dotson. The veteran, though, still makes for a fine value pick late in best ball drafts.
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.
Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic writes that Bills RB James Cook “will likely jolt a dormant screen game that has struggled for years since Sean McDermott became the head coach.” Last year, Buffalo couldn’t trust any RB not named Devin Singletary. With Singletary set for unrestricted free agency next year, the front office made a proactive move by adding arguably the most dynamic back in this class. A dangerous receiver, Cook could push for 30+ catches in year 1.
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.
The Bills selected RB James Cook in Round 2 of the NFL Draft. Cook brings incredible raw speed and burst, and he showed it at the Combine with a 4.42 forty-time. He’s not a pure tackle-breaker at only 200 pounds, but Cook effectively plays a slashing style similar to Alvin Kamara. Sharing touches with fellow rookie RB Zamir White, Cook tallied 113-728-7 (6.4 yards per carry) and 27-284-4 (10.5 yards per catch) as a 2021 senior. He’ll factor into Buffalo’s 2022 backfield with clear pass-catching upside. Note that Devin Singletary is entering a contract season.
The Vikings spent the final pick of Round 1 on Georgia S Lewis Cine. NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah lauded Cine's physicality but called him inconsistent in coverage. Cine did get his hands on 9 passes in his final Bulldogs season but totaled just 2 INTs across his 3 campaigns. He could be in for immediate starting duty with Harrison Smith the only incumbent safety starter in Minnesota.
The Bills moved up 2 spots in the 1st round of the NFL Draft to select CB Kaiir Elam from Florida. Elam stands 6'2 and ran a 4.39-second 40 at the Combine. He defensed 20 passes across 3 seasons with the Gators -- just 2 of those as a full-time starter. He should fight for a starting job right away in Buffalo.
The Bills are signing EDGE Von Miller to a 6-year deal, according to multiple reports. We'd bet against the 33-year-old (as of March 26) defender playing out that whole contract, but the reported $51.5 million guaranteed makes it sound like 3 years would be a solid bet. Most importantly, of course, Buffalo gains the best pass-rusher it will have had in HC Sean McDermott's stint. Miller racked up 82 total pressures last season, 5th most among all edge defenders, according to Pro Football Focus. He leaves behind a void for a Rams team lacking a 1st-round draft pick. Landing in Buffalo should also give Miller DE eligibility (perhaps for the 1st time ever in many fantasy football leagues). If that happens, it'll boost his IDP value.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that former Giants DT Austin Johnson is expected to sign with the Chargers. Johnson began his career a stronger run defender than pass rusher, but his Pro Football Focus grades point to that flipping in a breakthrough 2021 campaign. Johnson still doesn't look like a special performer, but he joins a Chargers front that struggled in 2021 -- especially against the run. Don't expect Johnson to be a high-impact IDP producer, but he cracked the top 30 last year in his 1st shot as a full-time player.
The Steelers have agreed to a 2-year deal with QB Mitchell Trubisky, according to multiple reports. It's a sensible fit for both sides. Trubisky gets another shot at starting, after a year in Buffalo. Pittsburgh gets a stopgap type with a much higher ceiling than Mason Rudolph presents. We don't believe this move keeps the Steelers from being in the market for a QB in this year's NFL Draft, but Trubisky's arrival makes it less of a glaring need. Assuming Trubisky hits Week 1 as the Pittsburgh starter, he could be especially good for WR Chase Claypool. Each of Trubisky's 1st 3 NFL seasons found him earning better Pro Football Focus passing grades in the deep range (20+ yards downfield) than intermediate or short. Claypool sported 11.4-yard and 13.2-yard average depths of target the past 2 seasons -- according to Pro Football Reference -- compared with 8.5 and 7.9 for Diontae Johnson. As for the QB himself, Trubisky has displayed top-12 fantasy-scoring potential and makes for an intriguing best-ball option anywhere outside that range.
Update: NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that Trubisky is getting $14.25 million over 2 years, with incentives that could make it worth up to $27 million. Clearly, the Steelers aren't committing to Trubisky but building in financial upside in case he proves truly starter-worthy.
Search
