All eyes on Khalil Shakir in 2024!

The Buffalo Bills faced significant changes to their offense after the 2023 NFL season. They traded star receiver Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans and lost their No. 2 receiver, Gabe Davis, in free agency. As a result, the question of who will emerge as Josh Allen’s primary target heading into the 2024 NFL season looms large.

To address their wide receiver needs, the Bills drafted Keon Coleman with the No. 33 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. However, they are also banking on Khalil Shakir, their fifth-round pick from the 2022 NFL Draft, to make a significant leap in his third year and establish himself as a key target for Allen.

Coming out of Boise State, Shakir was known for his versatility and competitive drive rather than excelling in one specific area. He made noticeable strides in his NFL sophomore season, emerging as the Bills’ third receiving option in 2023 with 39 receptions for 611 yards and 2 touchdowns.

This improvement has positioned Shakir to play a more prominent role in 2024. NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks identifies him as a breakout candidate, noting Shakir’s potential to fill the void left by Diggs and potentially surpass 1,000 receiving yards. Brooks emphasizes Shakir’s ability to be a deep threat for Allen while also serving as a reliable possession receiver capable of turning short passes into significant gains.

With Diggs gone, Shakir is expected to become Allen’s primary deep target, particularly when Allen extends plays. Beyond his deep threat capabilities, Shakir’s speed and agility enable him to exploit openings in zone coverage and win battles against defenders across the field. Additionally, the Bills’ offensive strategy, which includes utilizing tight ends Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox more extensively, is expected to create further opportunities for Shakir to contribute significantly in the upcoming season.