A lot of focus during the early portions of the offseason for the Buffalo Bills revolves around the playmakers on their roster.
Is one of the keys to improving that area on offense already on Buffalo’s roster? Pro Football Focus makes the case.
The football analytics outlet named one player that’s an early-offseason “breakout candidate” for every NFL team. For the Bills, receiver Khalil Shakir was the pick.
There’s still plenty of time to go before the 2023 season. Buffalo will work their way through free agency and the NFL draft, which could change Shakir’s outlook.
However, the Bills appear to be in line to lose a couple of receivers from their roster via free agency and aging. Shakir might be the next-man up as a player to get an opportunity behind the likes of Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis in Buffalo’s offense.
In a unit led by quarterback Josh Allen, there’s likely going to be plenty of opportunity regardless. Shakir could have a great look at adding to the 10 catches, 161 yards and touchdown he scored in 2022.
Here’s how PFF broke down their choice of Shakir:
2022 PFF Grade: 62.4
Buffalo needed an injection of playmaking into its receiving corps this season, and the answer may have been staring them in the face all season in the form of rookie Khalil Shakir.
Including the playoffs, Shakir saw just 23 targets all season despite running 171 routes. The Bills will be looking for ways to diversify that passing attack without breaking the bank, and upping Shakir’s workload is an obvious pathway.
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