Is the #2 WR already on this team?

[TheyCallMeAndy]

Now that the dust has settled, I’ve really looked at the statistical production of some of our guys. 
 

I knew Shakir had a good year, then I really looked at his production. 
 

He had a PHENOMENAL year. 
 

39 catches and 2 TDs are decent numbers for a ‘#3 WR,’ but can we talk about his 86% catch rate? That is outstanding. Caught 10 of 12 in the playoffs for 2 more TDs as well. 
 

282 Yards after catch? Love it.

15+ yards per reception.

133 QBR when targeted.

 

Ready for this?

 

45 targets. Zero interceptions when Allen looked his way. 
 

57 targets when you add in the postseason. Still zero INTS.

 

Fifty Seven targets. Zero drops. Zero. ZERO. Bills were in the bottom of the drop statistic this season. 
 

I don’t think Shakir should come off the field. He’s the slot WR and should be the #2 WR target. 
 

I’d love data on if he lined up outside when the team went to 2 WR sets after Gabe’s injury, or if he came off the field. 
 

Shakir has shown BIG TIME potential, and it’s the little things that hint to it.

 

Thoughts?

 

 

🦬

[Warcodered]

His role should definitely be expanded, but it's hard to just stretch that out assuming that if he was targeted that much more often nothing would change. You become that much more of a focused weapon on the team and other teams are going to focus on taking you away. Him and Kincaid will need an expanded role in the offense and they need to address the position in the offseason.

[No_Matter_What]

He needs to be amazing WR3 and then this offense combined with OL we had this year and KingCaid as TE1 will be best we ever had.

 

Just draft WR round 1 this year and hit on him.

 

But agreed, Shakir was great especially second half of the season. Love that guy.

[mabden]

Shakir is our slot receiver that can line up outside on occasion. 

 

The team needs a burner with great hands to challenge the defense down the field on a consistent basis. 

 

That receiver is currently not on the team.  We should be able to draft one in the first round this year.

[transient]

Yes. DIggs. Too bad the WR1 isn't.

[Bruffalo]

He has the makings of a star slot receiver.  We still need a 1A/B to push Diggs down to 1/B or 2. 

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

Better eat his Wheaties.

[C.Biscuit97]

This would be Josh Reed becoming the number 2 after Price left. Shakir could put up really good numbers next year but he doesn’t have the attributes to threaten a defense enough as a number 2. He would get clamped on the outside by most corners. Hes absolutely perfect in his role. Let’s get a legit threat in the draft.

[TheyCallMeAndy]

1 minute ago, Warcodered said:

His role should definitely be expanded, but it's hard to just stretch that out assuming that if he was targeted that much more often nothing would change. You become that much more of a focused weapon on the team and other teams are going to focus on taking you away. Him and Kincaid will need an expanded role in the offense and they need to address the position in the offseason.

Definitely, we saw it with Gabe. Showed flashes, but couldn’t step up with an increased role. 
 

It’s nice to see the areas that we needed Davis to step up in (catch rate, drops, INTs when targeted) are Shakirs best qualities.

 

If the Bills wheeled him out on 2 WR sets opposite of Diggs, I wouldn’t be shocked if a WR someplace between Sherfield and Davis was brought in that could challenge the defenses vertically. 
 

If Sherfield showed better hands, I would’ve said he was a shoe in that role in 2024. 

[CaptnCoke11]

Good slot receiver he’s for sure.  #2 option outside I don’t think his skill set is a good match for that.  

[transient]

3 minutes ago, Bruffalo said:

He has the makings of a star slot receiver.  We still need a 1A/B to push Diggs down to 1/B or 2. 

Exactly. He's the Beasley replacement. Diggs is the Brown/Sanders replacement. Still one missing.

[TheyCallMeAndy]

1 minute ago, C.Biscuit97 said:

This would be Josh Reed becoming the number 2 after Price left. Shakir could put up really good numbers next year but he doesn’t have the attributes to threaten a defense enough as a number 2. He would get clamped on the outside by most corners. Hes absolutely perfect in his role. Let’s get a legit threat in the draft.

There is no comparison between Josh Reed and Shakir. Reed was a very limited WR physically and never hit 600 yards in a season, never caught more than 71% of his passes. 
 

I get what you’re trying to say though. Shakir’s ceiling remains to be seen, but it could be higher than we all anticipated. 
 

At the very least Shakir should be the starting slot WR next year and Allen’s 3rd passing option. 

[VaMilBill]

2 minutes ago, transient said:

Exactly. He's the Beasley replacement. Diggs is the Brown/Sanders replacement. Still one missing.

Agree. Need a big body speedster that can actually catch 

[TheyCallMeAndy]

10 minutes ago, transient said:

Exactly. He's the Beasley replacement. Diggs is the Brown/Sanders replacement. Still one missing.

Beasley was the #2 WR on the team, the slot WR can be the #2. 
 

Who ever takes Gabe’s spot on the field is probably the 4th option next year. 
 

**Edit**
 

And I would love that 4th option to be a WR drafted to eventually replace Mr Diggs. 

Edited January 26 by TheyCallMeAndy

[Roundybout]

Shakir is going to be a stud WR3, our own Tyler Boyd or Donovan Peoples-Jones. Not sure how he will work when he starts drawing more coverage. 

[Alphadawg7]

20 minutes ago, TheyCallMeAndy said:

Now that the dust has settled, I’ve really looked at the statistical production of some of our guys. 
 

I knew Shakir had a good year, then I really looked at his production. 
 

He had a PHENOMENAL year. 
 

39 catches and 2 TDs are decent numbers for a ‘#3 WR,’ but can we talk about his 86% catch rate? That is outstanding. Caught 10 of 12 in the playoffs for 2 more TDs as well. 
 

282 Yards after catch? Love it.

15+ yards per reception.

133 QBR when targeted.

 

Ready for this?

 

45 targets. Zero interceptions when Allen looked his way. 
 

57 targets when you add in the postseason. Still zero INTS.

 

Fifty Seven targets. Zero drops. Zero. ZERO. Bills were in the bottom of the drop statistic this season. 
 

I don’t think Shakir should come off the field. He’s the slot WR and should be the #2 WR target. 
 

I’d love data on if he lined up outside when the team went to 2 WR sets after Gabe’s injury, or if he came off the field. 
 

Shakir has shown BIG TIME potential, and it’s the little things that hint to it.

 

Thoughts?

 

 

🦬

I’ve been saying this…but hopefully the stats here will start making people listen

 

Good post, and yes our #2 target is already on this team between him and Kincaid.
 

People don’t understand the difference between WR2 and the #2 WR.  
 

WR2 is a boundary WR, but they doesn’t mean he has to be your second best or most targeted WR.

 

Hill was #1 WR in KC but Kelce a TE was their #2.  

Edited January 26 by Alphadawg7

[Brianmoorman4jesus]

In a perfect world, Diggs transitions to a 2 this year and we hit on a new 1 in the draft 

[transient]

Just now, TheyCallMeAndy said:

Beasley was the #2 WR on the team, the slot WR can be the #2. 
 

Who ever takes Gabe’s spot on the field is probably the 4th option next year. 

So Shakir as WR2 and Diggs as WR3? That has locker room distraction written all over it...

 

In general, I get and agree with your point, though.

[BananaB]

No

[ILBillsfan]

Keeping Shakir in the slot option as his primary seems the correct role atm and next year some expanded roles possibly on the outside. I deally the new outside guy would be a rookie and then a vet in the lower pay range.

 

I do not think this should stop the Bills looking at WR as their top priority.

[TheyCallMeAndy]

5 minutes ago, Alphadawg7 said:

I’ve been saying this…but hopefully the stats here will start making people listen

 

Good post, and yes our #2 target is already on this team between him and Kincaid.
 

People don’t understand the difference between WR2 and the #2 WR.  
 

WR2 is a boundary WR, but they doesn’t mean he has to be your second best or most targeted WR.

 

Hill was #1 WR in KC but Kelce a TE was their #2.  

Yes, perhaps I should have been more clear on that.

 

When Bease was here, he was our #2 WR, Shakir will be that in 2024. 

[Big Blitz]

24 minutes ago, transient said:

Yes. DIggs. Too bad the WR1 isn't.

 

Was going to post this.  Yep.  

[billsfan_34]

34 minutes ago, TheyCallMeAndy said:

Now that the dust has settled, I’ve really looked at the statistical production of some of our guys. 
 

I knew Shakir had a good year, then I really looked at his production. 
 

He had a PHENOMENAL year. 
 

39 catches and 2 TDs are decent numbers for a ‘#3 WR,’ but can we talk about his 86% catch rate? That is outstanding. Caught 10 of 12 in the playoffs for 2 more TDs as well. 
 

282 Yards after catch? Love it.

15+ yards per reception.

133 QBR when targeted.

 

Ready for this?

 

45 targets. Zero interceptions when Allen looked his way. 
 

57 targets when you add in the postseason. Still zero INTS.

 

Fifty Seven targets. Zero drops. Zero. ZERO. Bills were in the bottom of the drop statistic this season. 
 

I don’t think Shakir should come off the field. He’s the slot WR and should be the #2 WR target. 
 

I’d love data on if he lined up outside when the team went to 2 WR sets after Gabe’s injury, or if he came off the field. 
 

Shakir has shown BIG TIME potential, and it’s the little things that hint to it.

 

Thoughts?

 

 

🦬

Really nice summary! I would love to see this consistently throughout the entire season and take some heat off our 1.

[BADOLBILZ]

 

Shakir surprised me but I think this debate takes us back to where the Bills were when Cole Beasley was considered WR2 statistically.

 

Technically, he had the second most catches and yardage.  By a lot.

 

But you want your boundary receivers to be WR1 and WR1B or the second at least a clear WR2.

 

Will Shakir become a guy they throw deep to?    We haven't seen that yet.  They tried him more in that role in 2022 but he struggled to track the deep ball.

 

If you are weak on the boundary it's hard to beat teams over the top and open up the rest of your offense.

 

The Bills were overmatched on the boundary against KC.  So all 4 of the 30+ air yards throws fell incomplete.  

 

So regardless of what label we want to put on Shakir,  the Bills are weak on the boundary.    

 

And those are those "island" positions that are worth the big bucks for a reason.  

 

Edited January 26 by BADOLBILZ

[Don Otreply]

25 minutes ago, TheyCallMeAndy said:

Now that the dust has settled, I’ve really looked at the statistical production of some of our guys. 
 

I knew Shakir had a good year, then I really looked at his production. 
 

He had a PHENOMENAL year. 
 

39 catches and 2 TDs are decent numbers for a ‘#3 WR,’ but can we talk about his 86% catch rate? That is outstanding. Caught 10 of 12 in the playoffs for 2 more TDs as well. 
 

282 Yards after catch? Love it.

15+ yards per reception.

133 QBR when targeted.

 

Ready for this?

 

45 targets. Zero interceptions when Allen looked his way. 
 

57 targets when you add in the postseason. Still zero INTS.

 

Fifty Seven targets. Zero drops. Zero. ZERO. Bills were in the bottom of the drop statistic this season. 
 

I don’t think Shakir should come off the field. He’s the slot WR and should be the #2 WR target. 
 

I’d love data on if he lined up outside when the team went to 2 WR sets after Gabe’s injury, or if he came off the field. 
 

Shakir has shown BIG TIME potential, and it’s the little things that hint to it.

 

Thoughts?

 

 

🦬

Remember when Davis was the third/fourth option, he was a potent part of our offense with good results, when he became the #2 not nearly as dangerous a weapon, mostly because he was planned for more frequently, and his lack of separation skill was exposed. Now Shakir is faster, twitchier, and gets separation far better than Davis ever has, so “potentially he has the skills to be better in the #2 role. It is my opinion that having big fast high quality route runner at #2 that will draw coverage away from Diggs, and will create one on one match ups with all our receiving option is the way to go, it give the offense a lot of flexibility in scheme and play design, and puts defenses in a pick your poison situation, and that can only be a good thing, jmo.

[machine gun kelly]

No

[miketysonslisp]

Shakir is a good football player and would be good to keep as #3/ slot type WR. But once Defenses start planning for him I think he wouldn't fare well as #2. Ideally you want a real #1 and #2 and let Shakir play his role which he would then Dominate within the context of his plays in the offense.

If he is forced to becoming a #2 Beane didn't do the best job he could in the offseason.

 

[JohnBonhamRocks]

I share the love for Shakir and also echo the sentiment from others that we still need to add (read: draft) a guy who is now a WR2 at least with the expectation that he can develop into a WR1.

 

Also, although this contradicts what I said above, I kind of want to ditch “WR1”, “WR2”, etc., terminology. We just need reliable, consistent weapons whose skills complement each other. 

[LABILLBACKER]

Could he be our FT#2?....absolutely,  but there's still the issue of who's replacing Diggs in the next year or 2? Kincaid will help take defensive focus off Shakir. And I'm somewhat confident Shorter & Hamler will produce beyond the nonsense Sherfield,  Harty and Hines provided.  It's critical we find Josh's future #1 in this draft. Khalil's catch% is incredible. 

[SoonerBillsFan]

1 hour ago, TheyCallMeAndy said:

Now that the dust has settled, I’ve really looked at the statistical production of some of our guys. 
 

I knew Shakir had a good year, then I really looked at his production. 
 

He had a PHENOMENAL year. 
 

39 catches and 2 TDs are decent numbers for a ‘#3 WR,’ but can we talk about his 86% catch rate? That is outstanding. Caught 10 of 12 in the playoffs for 2 more TDs as well. 
 

282 Yards after catch? Love it.

15+ yards per reception.

133 QBR when targeted.

 

Ready for this?

 

45 targets. Zero interceptions when Allen looked his way. 
 

57 targets when you add in the postseason. Still zero INTS.

 

Fifty Seven targets. Zero drops. Zero. ZERO. Bills were in the bottom of the drop statistic this season. 
 

I don’t think Shakir should come off the field. He’s the slot WR and should be the #2 WR target. 
 

I’d love data on if he lined up outside when the team went to 2 WR sets after Gabe’s injury, or if he came off the field. 
 

Shakir has shown BIG TIME potential, and it’s the little things that hint to it.

 

Thoughts?

 

 

🦬

No. Excellent #3 / slot guy who absolutely should have his role expanded.

[Iverwig]

Shakir staying in his current role and adding a deep threat who will one day become the main threat is what will make the offense more successful. The idea should be to give Josh as many weapons as possible. Moving Shakir to wr2 does not do that imo. 

[FireChans]

Target share of rookie WR/Diggs/Kincaid/Shakir in no particular order is my vote.

[C.Biscuit97]

45 minutes ago, TheyCallMeAndy said:

There is no comparison between Josh Reed and Shakir. Reed was a very limited WR physically and never hit 600 yards in a season, never caught more than 71% of his passes. 
 

I get what you’re trying to say though. Shakir’s ceiling remains to be seen, but it could be higher than we all anticipated. 
 

At the very least Shakir should be the starting slot WR next year and Allen’s 3rd passing option. 

To be fair, because Reed is my least favorite Bill (personal stuff haha) but 

1 - Reed won a Blienkoff award, was a 2nd round pick, and might still have lsu records. Dude had a legit resume out of college. 
2 - Reed played with Losman and KS plays with Allen. 
 

I loved what I saw out of KS this year. But what hurts teams is when you settle for guys in roles they shouldn’t be in. KS doesn’t have the size or speed to be the type of number 2 we need on the outside. It doesn’t mean he can’t thrive on the inside. Let’s not force him to be something that he’s not 

[C.Biscuit97]

1 hour ago, TheyCallMeAndy said:

Yes, perhaps I should have been more clear on that.

 

When Bease was here, he was our #2 WR, Shakir will be that in 2024. 

I could KS out producing a rookie next year sure.  But if we don’t get a good outside threat or force him out there, it will be bad for this offense and him. 

[TheyCallMeAndy]

45 minutes ago, Don Otreply said:

Remember when Davis was the third/fourth option, he was a potent part of our offense with good results, when he became the #2 not nearly as dangerous a weapon, mostly because he was planned for more frequently, and his lack of separation skill was exposed. Now Shakir is faster, twitchier, and gets separation far better than Davis ever has, so “potentially he has the skills to be better in the #2 role. It is my opinion that having big fast high quality route runner at #2 that will draw coverage away from Diggs, and will create one on one match ups with all our receiving option is the way to go, it give the offense a lot of flexibility in scheme and play design, and puts defenses in a pick your poison situation, and that can only be a good thing, jmo.

Yes, but Davis’ reception percentage, drop rate, and interception issues stayed consistent poor his 4 years. 

[ddaryl]

Shakir is looking like a solid contributor going forward. However I do not believe he worthy of #1 WR duties and never will be.

We need a tall, fast, top WR that will be cost controlled that can be WR #1b and can eventually take over for Diggs in a year or 3.

[DCOrange]

8 minutes ago, TheyCallMeAndy said:

Yes, but Davis’ reception percentage, drop rate, and interception issues stayed consistent poor his 4 years. 

Gabe’s numbers over the last 4 years put him among the best deep threats in the league. The issue for him is that was the only way he was useful and with those targets being higher variance/higher risk, the numbers don’t look great next to more all around receivers. 

[SCBills]

Shakir looks like he will become a high end slot guy. 
 

Perfect. 
 

We don’t need to overthink this.  Even with the injuries and failure, again, on defense in the postseason - Josh had us in position to win that game, if not for incredibly poor WR play all game outside Shakir.

 

Diggs spent half a season telling us he’s a 1A or elite 2, not a WR1.

 

Lets listen to him and draft a guy with the potential to put him in that role.

 

We have the QB, the OL, the TE, the RB.. this doesn’t need to be more difficult than it is.  Get the young WR to round out our 11 personnel. 

[TheyCallMeAndy]

1 minute ago, DCOrange said:

Gabe’s numbers over the last 4 years put him among the best deep threats in the league. The issue for him is that was the only way he was useful and with those targets being higher variance/higher risk, the numbers don’t look great next to more all around receivers. 

Maybe, but I wouldn’t be shocked if someone did a deep dive and proved this false. 
 

I’d love to see his drop % and reception % with short, intermediate, and deep throws. 

[In Summary]

I want a #2 that becomes the #1 in his 2nd year. Not sure Shakir is that guy but not a slam on him either. He was excellent this year in his roles.