As we get ready for the 2024 season, who is a potential breakout wide receiver for the Buffalo Bills?
Going into 2024, the Bills will look like a much different team. After years of success together, the duo of Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs is no more. Diggs was traded to the Houston Texans, likely because of a decline in production and a hefty price tag. However, he may also have been growing frustrated in Buffalo.
Now, the Bills will have a big void to fill at the wide receiver position.
Diggs was one of the best receivers in the league during his time in Buffalo, and his production likely won’t be replaced by just one player on the 2024 Bills.
Recently, Pro Football Focus spoke about wide receivers who are poised to breakout. Making their list was Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir.
Here’s what they had to say about him.
Shakir is the deepest breakout candidate to qualify for this list in 2024, considering he’s being drafted well outside the top 50 players at his position. He has a great shot to emerge as a top target earner in a high-end offense with an elite quarterback. Shakir became a regular in Buffalo’s offense in Week 7 last season, finishing second on the team to only Stefon Diggs in target rate (14.1%) and total targets (51). He also led the team in receiving yards (646) and yards per route run (1.78) and tied for the team lead in touchdowns (three) from that point on, including the playoffs.
Keeping that momentum going in Year 3 of his NFL career will be a challenge, but there are many reasons to be confident in him.
Can Khalil Shakir step up as a key cog in the Bills’ offense?
Shakir had a strong second half of the season for the Bills and was a big part of them turning their season around. As Diggs seemingly fell out of favor in the offense, Shakir and Dalton Kincaid stepped up.
In 2023, Shakir finished with 611 receiving yards, 39 receptions, and two receiving touchdowns. While these numbers don’t jump off the page, they are impressive when you factor in he totaled just four receptions in the first five games of the season.
As we head into 2024, Shakir will be one of the top options for Allen in the Bills offense. Also, defenses will be focused in on him more with Diggs no longer on the team. However, with an increased role, expect a nice season from Shakir in this offense.
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