Shakir standing out

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 Athletic's Joe Buscaglia believes WR Khalil Shakir is currently fifth on the Bills' depth chart. He played fewer snaps with QB Josh Allen in the team's second preseason game than both WRs Trent Sherfield and Deonte Harty. Shakir is not worth a roster spot in redraft leagues at this point. We're tentatively expecting the Bills' primary 3-WR set to open the season to be Stefon Diggs and Gabriel Davis out wide, with Harty in the slot.

Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic isn’t confident a full-time WR3 will emerge in Buffalo. WRs Khalil Shakir, Deonte Harty, and Trent Sherfield — plus TE Dalton Kincaid — are competing for snaps. “Don’t be surprised if this battle continues into the regular season and the team uses a hot-hand approach with all of them,” Buscaglia concludes. A Round 1 pick, Kincaid brings the most intrigue. The issue? Fantasy drafters are treating him as a fringe starter with a TE13 ADP (FFPC). Shakir made a few big plays last year, then watched the Bills sink $5.2 million guaranteed into Harty. Even Sherfield generated some buzz in OTAs. We’re ultimately talking about deep league fliers, although training camp could push one name into your best ball strategy.

Bills WR Khalil Shakir has had a strong offseason so far and "is going to push hard for prime snaps in the Bills’ three-receiver set," The Buffalo News' Mark Gaughan writes. Shakir played limited snaps as a rookie last year but flashed with 16.1 yards per catch on his 10 grabs. With Isaiah McKenzie gone, we consider Shakir the favorite for the No. 3 WR job heading into training camp, with Deonte Harty providing the primary competition.

Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic writes that rookie WR Khalil Shakir "has been outstanding this summer, to the point that the Bills are likely trying to find ways to get him involved on game days." Shakir has apparently gone from being viewed as a slot receiver to getting a lot of reps on the outside. Shakir has a shot to hit the regular season as the #4 WR, or at least the backup to Stefon Diggs and Gabriel Davis. Perhaps more importantly, the impressive 1st camp makes it easier to like Shakir's long-term upside in dynasty leagues.

The Athletic’s Joe Buscaglia writes that WR Khalil Shakir has enjoyed an “excellent” training camp. Buscaglia notes the rookie’s ability to play inside and outside while also pointing out some potential return value. Shakir, a 5th-round pick, will certainly start out buried on Buffalo’s depth chart, but he’s a name to file away in deep formats. Current projections have Josh Allen pegged for the 4th-most pass attempts league-wide.