Rd 5, Pick 148 (5): WR Khalil Shakir, Boise St

[Magox]

One other thing that stuck out when watching all these videos of Shakir is that for his size he is a monster at catching contested balls.  He seems to really have the ability to concentrate and display strong hands in these situations.

 

 

[Doc]

6 hours ago, ndirish1978 said:

FWIW

 

 

 

"You know you're light-skinned so they're going to think you're soft."

 

1 hour ago, YoloinOhio said:

I watched a lot of Khalil shakir last night and I know who he reminds me of. Robert Woods. 
 

edit: I see I’m not the first one to say this!

 

A faster version.

[LyndonvilleBill]

The more I read, the more I watch the more I love this pick. 

 

I may be a little biased (well maybe a lot.😁), but I don't see him taking Lil' Dirty's spot.

 

I can see him taking Stevenson's though. With Stevenson going to the PS and Shakir taking more of a full time role in 23' when Crowder leaves. Start this year K/PR duties along with some WR reps and more as the season rolls on.

 

I also get the Woods vibe when I watch him (yes, with some more speed).😉

[Simon]

Regardless of how he works out at WR in the long run, for now I'm just glad to see that the Bills may have found a capable punt/kick returner this season.

It might even help McKenzie by allowing him to spend less time mangling Specials and more time working as a WR.

[junior]

Scout quotes per long-time Packers and NFL beat writer, Bob McGinn:

 

AFC scout: “This is a really good player (but) he’s got 29-inch arms. Most people thought he’d run 4.55. He plays in the slot. He’s an A-plus competitor. They love him at the school, and they don’t like much of anything there. He’s just a steady eddie. You know exactly what you’re going to get. Then he runs 4.4. There’s a chance he goes second round but I think he’s the classic third-round No. 3 receiver. Quarterbacks will absolutely love him because you can count on him being where you want him to be. He knows how to play football.”

 

NFC scout: “Like him. Third round. He’s quick and sneaky fast. He’s dependable. He’s got really good hands. He’s a really good route runner.”

 

AFC scout: “He certainly does not play to his speed. Free agent. The 4.4 really shocked me. I didn’t see him making explosive plays. Problem with a guy like that, there’s so many that size.”

 

NFC scout: “I didn’t see much in this guy. He’s just average. Average speed, average skills, just average at everything. Just one of those dime-a-dozen kind of receivers. For me, he’s a late-round guy.”

 

AFC scout: “Loves the game. One of the best leaders on the team. Brings energy to the room … An athletic receiver with good suddenness in the open field. Is able to make defenders miss in space. Smooth, deliberate route runner who doesn’t waste much movement but can be slow in and out of his breaks against man coverage.”

[UKBillFan]

4 minutes ago, junior said:

Scout quotes per long-time Packers and NFL beat writer, Bob McGinn:

 

AFC scout: “This is a really good player (but) he’s got 29-inch arms. Most people thought he’d run 4.55. He plays in the slot. He’s an A-plus competitor. They love him at the school, and they don’t like much of anything there. He’s just a steady eddie. You know exactly what you’re going to get. Then he runs 4.4. There’s a chance he goes second round but I think he’s the classic third-round No. 3 receiver. Quarterbacks will absolutely love him because you can count on him being where you want him to be. He knows how to play football.”

 

NFC scout: “Like him. Third round. He’s quick and sneaky fast. He’s dependable. He’s got really good hands. He’s a really good route runner.”

 

AFC scout: “He certainly does not play to his speed. Free agent. The 4.4 really shocked me. I didn’t see him making explosive plays. Problem with a guy like that, there’s so many that size.”

 

NFC scout: “I didn’t see much in this guy. He’s just average. Average speed, average skills, just average at everything. Just one of those dime-a-dozen kind of receivers. For me, he’s a late-round guy.”

 

AFC scout: “Loves the game. One of the best leaders on the team. Brings energy to the room … An athletic receiver with good suddenness in the open field. Is able to make defenders miss in space. Smooth, deliberate route runner who doesn’t waste much movement but can be slow in and out of his breaks against man coverage.”

 

Good write up, except for that random NFC scout!

[The Dean]

13 hours ago, Warriorspikes51 said:

Depends: Does he want 100 targets and more $  or 60-70 targets with a great shot at a ring

 

That's what I'm saying.  Does Landry seem like that kind of guy?  He doesn't to me. 

[Rocky Landing]

11 hours ago, gobills404 said:

Someone probably posted this already but just in case. Absolute filth. It may be where he ends up playing the most but he’s more than just a slot guy.

 

The one-hand grab is impressive. But the footwork to stay in bounds, bending his right leg in, is bananas!

[John from Riverside]

1 hour ago, junior said:

Scout quotes per long-time Packers and NFL beat writer, Bob McGinn:

 

AFC scout: “This is a really good player (but) he’s got 29-inch arms. Most people thought he’d run 4.55. He plays in the slot. He’s an A-plus competitor. They love him at the school, and they don’t like much of anything there. He’s just a steady eddie. You know exactly what you’re going to get. Then he runs 4.4. There’s a chance he goes second round but I think he’s the classic third-round No. 3 receiver. Quarterbacks will absolutely love him because you can count on him being where you want him to be. He knows how to play football.”

 

NFC scout: “Like him. Third round. He’s quick and sneaky fast. He’s dependable. He’s got really good hands. He’s a really good route runner.”

 

AFC scout: “He certainly does not play to his speed. Free agent. The 4.4 really shocked me. I didn’t see him making explosive plays. Problem with a guy like that, there’s so many that size.”

 

NFC scout: “I didn’t see much in this guy. He’s just average. Average speed, average skills, just average at everything. Just one of those dime-a-dozen kind of receivers. For me, he’s a late-round guy.”

 

AFC scout: “Loves the game. One of the best leaders on the team. Brings energy to the room … An athletic receiver with good suddenness in the open field. Is able to make defenders miss in space. Smooth, deliberate route runner who doesn’t waste much movement but can be slow in and out of his breaks against man coverage.”

There are some scouts in those comments that are just collecting a paycheck and need to be fired

[Andy1]

From the clips of him I have seen, he doesn’t seem to play at 4.4 speed. I think he can still be a functional receiver though. He has the ability to make amazing catches in traffic. He does seem like a Robert Woods type player. I just wouldn’t highlight speed as a main trait of his. 

[Rocket94]

Shakir appears to have a slight hesitation when turning up field...he won't get away with that in the pros.

[davefan66]

5 hours ago, Magox said:

One other thing that stuck out when watching all these videos of Shakir is that for his size he is a monster at catching contested balls.  He seems to really have the ability to concentrate and display strong hands in these situations.

 

 

Seems to have good acceleration.  
 

Like how he concentrates and tracks the ball on the longer passes.  Seems fluid.  Good hands from what I’ve watched of him.  Then again, they don’t post the bad stuff on YouTube, etc.  

 

Either way, like this kid and believe he will be a great fit in our offense before the end of the season.

[Buffalo03]

He's gonna make all DBs lose confidence and become inshakir

Edited May 1, 2022 by Buffalo03

[Buffalo_Stampede]

1 hour ago, John from Riverside said:

There are some scouts in those comments that are just collecting a paycheck and need to be fired

Scouts can look at the same film and have completely different opinions. Happens all the time, especially for players outside of 1st round grades.

[Last Guy on the Bench]

Greg Cosell is completely sold on Shakir in this clip. Raves about him for a couple of minutes. Starts at 10:40.

Cosell is not a raver. He is pretty cautious, and while he won't trash guys too often, you always get a sense of his caveats. Not here. He is smiling when he talks about him.

 

 

[freddyjj]

7 hours ago, UKBillFan said:

 

Good write up, except for that random NFC scout!

That guy should get a job with Belicheat and the Pats.  

Edited May 1, 2022 by freddyjj

[Hapless Bills Fan]

22 hours ago, gobills404 said:

Someone probably posted this already but just in case. Absolute filth. It may be where he ends up playing the most but he’s more than just a slot guy.

 

 

Wow that's a highlight.  Haven't seen a catch like that since Beasley's leaping 1-handed sideline haul in the 2020 AZ game we lost on the Hxxx Mxxxxx

[GreggTX]

Love this pick. His 3-Cone was dissappointing so I wonder if he can shake free of NFL CB's. The hands and leaping ability are elite. Decent speed too. He was successful in the slot so maybe that 3-Cone time (7.28 sec.) was a fluke. His 1st vertical was 34.5. He then jumped to 38.5. That's some serious air for a 6'0" guy. If he can be a decent route runner, he could have a very high ceiling. I also expect Davis to flourish with more snaps.

[BigBuff423]

Based on value, this is my favorite pick from the weekend. Second, based on abysmal performance last year and value again, Araiza. 

 

People often forget that Diggs was a 5th Round pick and just assume great WRs are taken in the first round when so often, that's just not the case. Antonio Brown, head-case issues aside, was a 6th Round pick. Great value and future production can, and often is, be found in the mid to late portions of the Draft. I have a feeling, like Gabe Davis in the 4th, this will be a fan favorite pick in three years. 

[MrEpsYtown]

His write up on NFL.com is something else: 

 

A coach's dream, combining competitive nature, exciting versatility and elite character on and off the field. For a short-armed player with average explosiveness, Shakir puts an emphatic stamp on games. He's more football player than prototypical slot receiver and needs to prove he can handle an increase in contested catches. He can be activated from a variety of alignments with the vision, wiggle and toughness to move the chains once the ball is in his hands. He finds a way to frequently show up on the notepad when watching tape and his will to outperform the guy across from him should not be overlooked. Shakir should become a valuable piece for a creative play-caller.

 

Impressive stuff. 

[junior]

13 hours ago, ScottLaw said:

Yea…. I don’t really see the speed on the tape… looks like he’s got great hands though.

 

Same. How he plays reminds me a little of Hunter Renfrow for some reason. 

[davspo]

I remember watching him run the gauntlet at the combine and was like "who is this guy", smooth catcher reminded me of how Cooper Kupp was at the combine.  I know small sample size, but just what I remember.  After that I watched his tape and thought that this kid is going to be good.  We'll see.  Fun pick. 

[Deadstroke]

On 5/1/2022 at 7:05 AM, YoloinOhio said:

I watched a lot of Khalil shakir last night and I know who he reminds me of. Robert Woods. 
 

edit: I see I’m not the first one to say this!

He's a good bit faster.

[Back2Buff]

For what this team needs, outside WR with speed, I like Stevenson better and I think one or the other makes the team.

[Dr. Who]

Just now, Back2Buff said:

For what this team needs, outside WR with speed, I like Stevenson better and I think one or the other makes the team.

Perhaps. From last year, which of course, he may improve upon, Stevenson was very fast at finding the oncoming kick coverage and running right into it.

[Shaw66]

2 hours ago, MrEpsYtown said:

His write up on NFL.com is something else: 

 

A coach's dream, combining competitive nature, exciting versatility and elite character on and off the field. For a short-armed player with average explosiveness, Shakir puts an emphatic stamp on games. He's more football player than prototypical slot receiver and needs to prove he can handle an increase in contested catches. He can be activated from a variety of alignments with the vision, wiggle and toughness to move the chains once the ball is in his hands. He finds a way to frequently show up on the notepad when watching tape and his will to outperform the guy across from him should not be overlooked. Shakir should become a valuable piece for a creative play-caller.

 

Impressive stuff. 

Wow.  That's McDermott's kind of guy.  

 

I've wondered whether this guy actually is a punt returner.  It looks from the stats like he did it only part time.   But from the write-up, above, I'd day he's McDermott's punt returner.  Why?   Because that is the description of a guy who will keep the ball secure first, and then try to do something with it.  

21 minutes ago, Back2Buff said:

For what this team needs, outside WR with speed, I like Stevenson better and I think one or the other makes the team.

We'll see what a year's experience does for Stevenson.  He has to make a jump.   I agree about his speed. 

 

However, Beane took him in the sixth or seventh and never talked about him as anything more than potential.  He took Shakir at the top of the fifth and said he would have taken him in the fourth if he still had the pick.  Then when I read the NFL.com paragraph, above, I conclude that Shakir already has the inside track.  

[Back2Buff]

16 minutes ago, Shaw66 said:

Wow.  That's McDermott's kind of guy.  

 

I've wondered whether this guy actually is a punt returner.  It looks from the stats like he did it only part time.   But from the write-up, above, I'd day he's McDermott's punt returner.  Why?   Because that is the description of a guy who will keep the ball secure first, and then try to do something with it.  

We'll see what a year's experience does for Stevenson.  He has to make a jump.   I agree about his speed. 

 

However, Beane took him in the sixth or seventh and never talked about him as anything more than potential.  He took Shakir at the top of the fifth and said he would have taken him in the fourth if he still had the pick.  Then when I read the NFL.com paragraph, above, I conclude that Shakir already has the inside track.  

 

Stevenson was drafted 55 picks after Khalil, in a much deeper WR class overall, and after a terrible COVID year for Houston.  It was a mess with getting games in.

 

Stevenson showed more in preseason than I think most were expecting.  This lead to him retaining a spot on team, and eventually getting some games in.

 

None of that happens last year if he was nothing but potential.  He has legit skill this team needs back.  This team needs outside speed in the worst way.

[Logic]

After watching Shakir highlights all morning, I’m not understanding why he dropped to the 5th round. I’ve read he has short arms, average explosiveness, and some trouble with dropped passes.

 

I don’t know. I watch him play and I don’t see that stuff. He looks like a quick, fast, tough runner with great RAC ability, high level competitiveness, and highlight reel catching ability.

 

Im not saying he’s the perfect player. Obviously he must have legitimate flaws to have fallen to the fifth, but…I also think scouts and GMs overthink things sometimes. This guy was really productive at Boise St in 2021. He averaged something like 120 all purpose yards per game, and over 70% of his catches went for a first down or touchdown. On top of all that, he can be Gameday active as a rookie because he’ll be the punt returner, so you can get him on the field early here and there while he learns.

 

Coming to this WR room and learning from guys like Diggs, McKenzie, and even Crowder — not to mention Chad Hall — is gonna do wonders for this kid.

 

I’ll say it again: I think a lot of teams made a mistake letting Shakir fall this far. He’s gonna be a big part of the Bills offense by 2023. If anyone’s job is endangered long term by Shakir’s addition, it’s McKenzie. 

[jkeerie]

Beane was on One Bills Live this morning and said that had they still had pick 130, they would have picked Shakir.  So they ended up getting the guys they wanted anyway.  He also said that Shakir's drops were concentration issues which can be corrected..

[The Dean]

2 hours ago, Back2Buff said:

 

Stevenson was drafted 55 picks after Khalil, in a much deeper WR class overall, and after a terrible COVID year for Houston.  It was a mess with getting games in.

 

Stevenson showed more in preseason than I think most were expecting.  This lead to him retaining a spot on team, and eventually getting some games in.

 

None of that happens last year if he was nothing but potential.  He has legit skill this team needs back.  This team needs outside speed in the worst way.

 

Worst way?  Well, let's temper that just a bit. Yes, more outside speed would help this offense be even MORE explosive. But let's not pretend the Bills offensive won't be just fine with their current speed. 

 

17 minutes ago, Logic said:

After watching Shakir highlights all morning, I’m not understanding why he dropped to the 5th round. I’ve read he has short arms, average explosiveness, and some trouble with dropped passes.

 

I don’t know. I watch him play and I don’t see that stuff. He looks like a quick, fast, tough runner with great RAC ability, high level competitiveness, and highlight reel catching ability.

 

 

 

I agree with your overall assessment. But highlight videos don't typically show drops or bad plays. 

[Rocky Landing]

3 hours ago, Back2Buff said:

 

Stevenson was drafted 55 picks after Khalil, in a much deeper WR class overall, and after a terrible COVID year for Houston.  It was a mess with getting games in.

 

Stevenson showed more in preseason than I think most were expecting.  This lead to him retaining a spot on team, and eventually getting some games in.

 

None of that happens last year if he was nothing but potential.  He has legit skill this team needs back.  This team needs outside speed in the worst way.

I think your assessment, and recollection of Stevenson's contributions to the '21 season are a bit selective.

[BillsFanForever19]

2 hours ago, jkeerie said:

Beane was on One Bills Live this morning and said that had they still had pick 130, they would have picked Shakir.  So they ended up getting the guys they wanted anyway.  He also said that Shakir's drops were concentration issues which can be corrected..

 

Another thing he said is he can envision Shakir being the 4th WR on the roster, being the next guy up on the outside or inside. So he doesn't view him as strictly a slot guy.

[John from Riverside]

I remember I was watching the combine and didnt even know who this guy was.....then he ran that 40 and looked blazing fast....he is also solid in body like he will totally hold up in the NFL.

[Back2Buff]

1 hour ago, Rocky Landing said:

I think your assessment, and recollection of Stevenson's contributions to the '21 season are a bit selective.

 

What did I say that was selective?  He performed well in preseason and got in some games during the season.  Not sure what else could be said.

[Augie]

2 hours ago, jkeerie said:

Beane was on One Bills Live this morning and said that had they still had pick 130, they would have picked Shakir.  So they ended up getting the guys they wanted anyway.  He also said that Shakir's drops were concentration issues which can be corrected..

 

Dawson Knox concurs.  

 

 

.

Edited May 2, 2022 by Augie

[Rocky Landing]

10 minutes ago, Back2Buff said:

 

What did I say that was selective?  He performed well in preseason and got in some games during the season.  Not sure what else could be said.

By selective, I mean that you're omitting some obvious flaws in his performance during the season.

 

To my eyes, Stevenson was hesitant in both returns, and RAC, (but especially returns) which allowed defenders to get leverage on him that essentially negated his speed. I can't remember a single play where he was able to use his speed to break into the open field, and really turn on the burners. If they retained Stevenson to utilize his speed, he didn't deliver. JMO.

[jkeerie]

36 minutes ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

Another thing he said is he can envision Shakir being the 4th WR on the roster, being the next guy up on the outside or inside. So he doesn't view him as strictly a slot guy.

Yes.  They'll treat him like they treated Gabe Davis initially.  Should be good for his development.

[Back2Buff]

25 minutes ago, Rocky Landing said:

By selective, I mean that you're omitting some obvious flaws in his performance during the season.

 

To my eyes, Stevenson was hesitant in both returns, and RAC, (but especially returns) which allowed defenders to get leverage on him that essentially negated his speed. I can't remember a single play where he was able to use his speed to break into the open field, and really turn on the burners. If they retained Stevenson to utilize his speed, he didn't deliver. JMO.

 

Huh?  Not even sure he got any offensive snaps other than preseason, where he showed his acceleration.

 

I don't care about his return ability.  Mckenzie can do the returns.  If Stevenson is able to provide what he did in preseason, this is exactly what this team needs. 

[Shaw66]

4 hours ago, Logic said:

After watching Shakir highlights all morning, I’m not understanding why he dropped to the 5th round. I’ve read he has short arms, average explosiveness, and some trouble with dropped passes.

 

 

Well, I didn't watch them all morning, but I watched some in the past few days, and I get the lack of explosiveness part. It looks to me like he doesn't get his top end speed quickly.   I kept looking at his 40 time and looking at the video, and I couldn't put the two together. 

 

You know how they say some guys have football speed, they play faster than they time?   I concluded that Shakir is a bit of the opposite.  

 

I'm not sure it matters all that much.  He looks plenty fast enough to me to be a legitimate deep threat.   

 

I've been in and out of this thread, and what has me excited is his intelligence and apparent extreme coachability.   If that's who he is, then he should play, because receivers generally get open on smarts and precise route running, not blazing speed.  

 

Shakir-Elam footraces in training camp should be fun.  And throw in Cook.  

[Shaw66]

54 minutes ago, Rocky Landing said:

By selective, I mean that you're omitting some obvious flaws in his performance during the season.

 

To my eyes, Stevenson was hesitant in both returns, and RAC, (but especially returns) which allowed defenders to get leverage on him that essentially negated his speed. I can't remember a single play where he was able to use his speed to break into the open field, and really turn on the burners. If they retained Stevenson to utilize his speed, he didn't deliver. JMO.

I agree that Stevenson didn't show a lot.  And for me, I was pretty much done with him after he fumbled on a return.  He was out there only because the Bills had lost confidence in McKenzie, and still he wasn't able to focus on holding onto the ball.  It's not fatal, but it certainly didn't help.  I said in this thread or elsewhere that Stevenson may benefit by a second year in more normal OTAs and training camp, but I'm guessing that Shakir is likely to take his job.   Stevenson may have him marginally on speed and quickness, but Shakir is going to win on brains, effectiveness, and consistency.   Just my take. 

 

As Logic says, if he wins the punt returning job against Stevenson and McKenzie, he'll be on the active roster, and he'll get occasional reps on the offense as he earns them throughout the season.  If he wins the punt returning job, Stevenson likely is toast.   Or, more likely, he gets poached off the practice squad.