Nihilarian

2. Khalil Shakir, Buffalo Bills (71.3%) Shakir was open on 53 of 56 targets in 2023 and finished third in separation rate (94.6%). His target volume doubled in 2024 (115), but he still created 85 wide-open targets (third most). He caught 77 of those passes for 792 yards, both top-10 marks. He also recorded a 90.2 PFF receiving grade on those plays, gaining 30 first downs and catching three touchdown passes. Shakir has been one of the best slot receivers in the league over the past two seasons, earning an 84.0 PFF receiving grade across 127 targets. Ninety-seven of those targets came within 9 yards of the line of scrimmage, where he racked up 92 catches for 818 yards. Shakir ranks in the top three in missed tackles forced (25), yards after contact (270) and yards after the catch per reception (7.7), and he boasts an 88.6 PFF receiving grade from that part of the field. Like Marvin Mims Jr., Shakir is often targeted on screens. He caught 29 of his 31 screen targets for 189 yards in 2024. He finished fourth in receiving yards on screens, picked up eight first downs and scored twice, earning a fifth-ranked 83.5 PFF receiving grade on such plays. https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-ranking-2024-top-wide-receivers-separation-type

My take is this OC isn't calling their numbers or scheming those plays for them. What some of you simply don't get is that this OC is all about high percentage plays vs low percentage plays. This low percentage plays take longer to develop as they might include 5-7 step drop backs on deeper throws. What we saw with the Falcons was a high amount of blitzing and the Chiefs attempted to do the same thing and because this time Allen was hitting those short outs and Cook was gaining good yardage on run plays... it didn't work. Josh was sacked 3x and hit 6 times and because the run game worked and the short pass game worked it opened up some mid to deep passes. Moore caught one for 28 yards and Knox caught one for 30 yards, Kincaid caught one for 47 yards. I really don't get all the angst about finding a #1 WR considering the Chiefs have a top 10 defense and are 3rd in pass attempts allowed, 7th in pass yards allowed, 4th in passing TDs allowed. Josh Allen tore them a new one 23 of 26 for 273 yards, 1 TD and an 83.8 QBR. Which by the way is the best QBR for him ever. 10 different receivers caught passes and that is literally insane...everybody ate! And Bills fans who seem to think that this game didn't matter to the Chiefs are nuts as they wanted it just as bad as the Bills. Mahomes was contained and unable to run to make plays and he was hit 15 times. He also had the very worst QBR ever at 50.0. This game mattered to both teams and was huge.

This, well said. If something should happen to Cook (god forbid)the Bills are basically cooked because he has been as valuable to the offense as Josh has been. Back in the 90's the Bills had a decent backup to Thurman Thomas in a guy also named Davis, Kenneth Davis and while there was a drop off with no Thurman on the field it wouldn't look nearly as bad should Cook go out. I almost wonder if the reason as to why Cook isn't utilized more in the passing game is to save him for the run game. Although that doesn't explain why Ray Davis and Ty Johnson aren't used more often in the pass game. This game against the 2-7 Miami Dolphins might be the perfect time to rest Cook somewhat and try and get Gore, Davis and Johnson more involved in the run game. I keep hearing that RBs are a dime a dozen and that simply doesn't apply to some players Like James Cook, Jon Taylor for the Colts, Saquon Barkley for the Eagles, King Henry for the Ravens.

With so many clamoring for a WR that can get separation, to get open to catch deep passes to be a difference maker on offense. Now, someone tell me why the Bengals had Ja'Marr Chase and then paid big money to another top WR in Tee Higgin's. Which has basically kept them from upgrading their defense and offensive line. The latter has kept their QB nearly always injured and a big reason why the team is 3-5. The Seahawks have a top #1 WR in Jaxon Smith-Njibja who leads the NFL with 948 yards. Yet, they went out and obtained WR Rashid Shaheed who is the 24th leading receiver in yards so far. The Steelers are paying 30 mill to DK Metcalf and yet wanted to bring in another WR like Shaheed. The Eagles have WRs DeVonta Smith and AJ Brown along with RB Saquon Barkley. Seems like it doesn't stop with one number wideout. The current Buffalo Bills cap space doesn't allow them to pay for one star #1 WR let alone two. Should they abandon the current scheme and follow the lead of the Bengals? Currently the Buffalo Bills are #1 in yards, #3 in points scored offense overall in the league, #1 in rush attempts, #1 in rush yards, #2 in rush TDs and #4 in rush yards per attempt. Buffalo is no longer top 5-10 in passing and because they are more run centric they don't turn the ball over as often. I don't know about the rest of you but I'm happy the Bills put so many draft picks into the defense. Mad max, Deone Walker, Jordan Hancock and we have yet to see what TJ Sanders, Landon Jackson bring. Cole Bishop is a steely-eyed beast man.

With so many clamoring for a WR that can get separation, to get open to catch deep passes to be a difference maker on offense. Now, someone tell me why the Bengals had Ja'Marr Chase and then paid big money to another top WR in Tee Higgin's. Which has basically kept them from upgrading their defense and offensive line. The latter has kept their QB nearly always injured and a big reason why the team is 3-5. The Seahawks have a top #1 WR in Jaxon Smith-Njibja who leads the NFL with 948 yards. Yet, they went out and obtained WR Rashid Shaheed who is the 24th leading receiver in yards so far. The Steelers are paying 30 mill to DK Metcalf and yet wanted to bring in another WR like Shaheed. The Eagles have WRs DeVonta Smith and AJ Brown along with RB Saquon Barkley. Seems like it doesn't stop with one number wideout. The current Buffalo Bills cap space doesn't allow them to pay for one star #1 WR let alone two. Should they abandon the current scheme and follow the lead of the Bengals? Currently the Buffalo Bills are #1 in yards, #3 in points scored offense overall in the league, #1 in rush attempts, #1 in rush yards, #2 in rush TDs and #4 in rush yards per attempt. Buffalo is no longer top 5-10 in passing and because they are more run centric they don't turn the ball over as often. I don't know about the rest of you but I'm happy the Bills put so many draft picks into the defense. Mad max, Deone Walker, Jordan Hancock and we have yet to see what TJ Sanders, Landon Jackson bring. Cole Bishop is a steely-eyed beast man.

Well, so many here complaining that Buffalo didn't grab that #1 WR that simply wasn't available out there. Clearly the Dolphins were asking far too much for Waddle. Brandon Beane is consistently ranked among the top general managers in the NFL, often placing in the top five due to his successful roster-building strategies and contract negotiations. His leadership has transformed the Buffalo Bills into a competitive team, making him highly regarded in the league. Also, don't forget that a GM is sometimes only as good as his scouting staff. This is a playoff roster the last four seasons and the only reason as to why the Bills haven't been to a Super Bowl was because of the team they just beat this week. The Chiefs have been the very best team in the NFL the last five years in terms of wins and the #2 team has been the Buffalo Bills. While Josh Allen has been great at times there have been some games where he hasn't been so great. That recent Falcons game comes to mind and last year it was against the Texans. He isn't perfect and has flaws... like with his deep passing and I wouldn't trade him for any other QB. It is a team sport and this GM has built an excellent offensive line to protect our cherished QB. They have a top 3 RB with Cook and Buffalo has the #1 team in rush attempts, #1 in rush yards, #2 in rushing TDs, #4 in rushing yards per attempt. I think this GM went all out for a pass rusher in Von Miller that because of injury didn't pan out. He went all in for a WR in Stephon Diggs and while he was great against average teams. Although he failed to live up to his value in the playoffs. What would it take to obtain a Justin Jefferson, a Ja'Marr Chase. It would clearly be cost prohibitive for not only draft picks but also cap space. Besides, weren't the 2024 Buffalo Bills the #2 team in the NFL in points scored without that #1 WR? Plus, because the Bills are utilizing a run centric offense it has allowed the offense to be very careful with turnovers being the #3 team in turnovers lost and the #1 team in turnover ratio at +24. I for one am very happy with what I saw in the Buffalo defense against the Chiefs and going forward I have faith that this might be their year.

As much as I love our QB this is simply not the case anymore. Cook is a huge part of this offense and if used more on the passing game he would be another Thurman Thomas. Not only the RB but the defense with so many players contributing played a big part of that huge win against the Bills biggest nemesis. Bills fans are seriously putting far to much emphasis on obtaining a player that really wouldn't do much for the team right now. This team is a run centric offense and they have two WRs in the background that can contribute in Palmer, Davis. Plus for the defense they have Landon Jackson and TJ Sanders, Dorian Strong, Damar Hamlin, DeQuan Jones. Besides what we heard is that Beane was attempting to bring in others but alas other teams wanted to much in trade compensation and we know Beane loves his draft picks. Miami was clearing asking too much from everyone.

I stand corrected as he was with the 2022 NY Giants, was thinking of with the Colts. His OC back then was Mike Kafka and his new OC is Jim Bob Cooter

Some of you act like this franchise is so darn desperate for wins of any kind. And yet have been 3 points away from advancing or going to the SB the last two seasons. This is a playoff team that just beat their biggest nemesis in KC and the defense came alive in that game hitting Mahomes 15 times while containing him from running. The Bills have WRs Josh Palmer and Gabe Davis waiting in the wings and DE Landon Jackson that could see playing time in the future. So while this GM attempted to make some trades it simply didn't work out. The sky is not falling...just relax!

Curtis Samuel runs a 4.31, Elijah Moore runs a 4.35. I've read that Shaheed runs a 4.45. I'm not convinced that Buffalo OC Joe Brady would even utilize a new speedy outside WR. He has some some and doesn't use them.

Beane is not an idiot. Where did it get Miami to hold on to Waddle, Chubb at 2-7? I suspect that teams wanted to take advantage of any Buffalo interest in their players. On another note Jerry Jones is a fool to trade away Micah Parsons only to bring in a DT. The Colts to give up two firsts for a CB that gets flagged a lot when they have a Maybe at QB?

If you don't mind having a CB that gets a ton of flags

I dunno about that, Cleveland is paying 5 QBs right now...

I'm surprised we haven't heard anything about Miami and Waddle.

We all saw what a good defense will do to the best QB in Mahomes in Buffalo and in the Super Bowl. I'd love more defense...Jeffery Simmons. get er done