Bills Draft History - The Price For Shaheed

[BananaB]

In Beane’s season ending press conference he’ll say, “We were right there at the end. If you could tell me we had the ball down a score with two minutes left and Josh taking the snaps, I’d take it every time”. Totally oblivious to the fact adding a better player might of helped Josh get the points at the end, or not even be in the situation because they already sealed the victory,  

 

Then he’ll sign him in FA and talk about how they almost traded for him at the deadline but didn’t want to give up the picks. Hahah

Edited 13 hours ago by BananaB

[Cray51]

2 hours ago, Alphadawg7 said:

 

Agreed, and honestly I would prefer Gabe Davis to Shaheed who at least also brings elite blocking to a team who very much is designed to utilize that both in the quick passing game and the run game.  Plus IMO Gabe is the more accomplished WR with a better deep game and rapport with Allen and cost us nothing to add to the roster.  I dont love Gabe as a WR1 or WR2, but as a guy mixing in with this group, he still has a chance to bring value to the team if his knee stuff is behind him.

And (ducks for cover), Davis has consistently stretched the field more than Shaheed (his average depth of catch each year has been higher than Shaheed, meaning he stretches the field more frequently and catches more passes when doing so.

 

I know people hate Davis, but I actually think he can be a very solid #3/4 for this team not only this year, but for the next few

 

 

[Pete]

8 hours ago, Cray51 said:

And (ducks for cover), Davis has consistently stretched the field more than Shaheed (his average depth of catch each year has been higher than Shaheed, meaning he stretches the field more frequently and catches more passes when doing so.

 

I know people hate Davis, but I actually think he can be a very solid #3/4 for this team not only this year, but for the next few

 

 

You have to catch the ball for it to count

 

History with drops

A known issue: Drops were a significant drawback during his time with the Bills, with a career-high of nine in the 2022 season.

Inconsistency: This history of drops contributed to his inconsistent performance and the team eventually moving on from him. 

Current status with the Bills

Recent return: Davis rejoined the Buffalo Bills' practice squad in September 2025 after being released by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

[BillsFanForever19]

First off, I've said this a million times already, but the price wouldn't have been a 4th and a 5th for us. If New Orleans has the option of a 4th and 5th from Seattle or from us - they're going to take (and did take) Seattle's.

 

Our record is the same, yes, but historically we make it further than they do and consistently pick below them. And we have a team led by Josh Allen. So for us to get him, we would have had to have beat Seattle's offer. Which we could only do with a 3rd.

 

But beyond that, I think the even bigger issue was that it was 2 picks in the coming Draft. If it were a pick in 2026 and a pick in 2027, that would have been more palatable. But in a year where we only have 7, dropping 2 of them and only having 5 picks is rough. Especially for a guy you only have for half of a season that is more of a role player than a #1 WR.

[Dan Darragh]

16 hours ago, Alphadawg7 said:

 

This is exactly what I have been saying during all the "go trade for Shaheed" stuff this season.  We have already seen this OC not use MVS or Harty last year in that stretch the defense role when they in fact filled similar roles to Shaheed in NO and that was what the point of them being here was supposed to be.  This year we have Samuel (4.31 forty) and Moore (4.35 forty) not have their speed used much to open up down field again.  

 

Don't forget that Gave ran a 4.54 forty, when he was younger and supposedly fully healthy.  He may be useful but he's not going to stretch many defenses on go routes.

[SoMAn]

17 hours ago, jwhit34 said:

Shaheed was traded for a 4th and a 5th. I Think he's a UFA after the season.

 

Let's say that Beane was offered the same deal, a 4th and a 5th for Shaheed. If I'm Beane, to judge the relative value, I look at the picks I have had in those rounds in the draft as one data point in evaluating the deal. Here is the history since the current regime arrived:

 

Year                             4th Round                                     5th Round

2025                       Deone Walker                          J. Hawes, J. Hancock

2024                       Ray Davis                                 S. VP-Granger, J. Solomon, E. Ulafoshio

2023                       --------------                          J. Shorter

2022                       --------------                          K. Shakir

2021                        --------------                          T. Doyle

2020                       Gabe Davis                               J. Fromm

2019                        -----------                               V. Joseph

2018                        Taron Johnson                        S. Neal, W. Teller

2017                         --------------                         M. Milano

 

All 4 of the 4th rounders have been good players (I look at this and say don't trade 4th rounders, you have a knack for finding players). 5th rounders have had more hits than misses, with Milano, Teller and Shakir being terrific picks. 

 

So in the extreme cases, would you trade Taron Johnson and Wyatt Teller for a rental Shaheed or Walker and Hawes for Shaheed? 

 

Give credit to the sellers yesterday, they made out very well. If the Bills were in on some deals and the price paid is indicative of where the market was on others, I think it's probably good that they passed on trades. 

I said something along those lines a couple of days ago when some of you were crying for a trade upgrade. With consideration to the Bills' cap restrictions and figuring that a lot of the players being dumped would be what amounts to a 9+ game rental, it would be stupid to trade draft picks or other valued men from our roster. Those are the sort of moves that perennial celler-dwellers make. Give Beane credit for considering the long term future and not just a gamble on this season.

That said, it's clear from his presser statements that Beane was desperate to upgrade the roster and tried in vain to make a move. Not sure who he had his eye on (anyone here know or care to speculate?) But, getting a good player that can contribute comes with a price. In his estimation, there wasn't a deal that would pay dividends for the future. 

It's a good bet he was looking for a DT or WR (duh). I'm more inclined to think it was a DT.

Edited 2 hours ago by SoMAn

[Bill from NYC]

16 hours ago, Alphadawg7 said:

 

 

The best thing that came out of this trade deadline was all the stuff coming out about Beane being actively calling on legit WR1 type options. Gives me hope that this offseason and draft it will be a top priority and hopefully we see them either land one in FA/Trade (no idea who is going to be available) or aggressive in getting one in the draft, including moving up to do so.

I wouldn't get my hopes up so high. There are lots of good defensive tackles and cornerbacks in the upcomming draft.

[artmalibu]

In 4 years he only out produced Coleman's rookie season in 1 of them.  Doesnt give me a lot of confidence that he would be the missing link.

[GunnerBill]

8 minutes ago, Bill from NYC said:

I wouldn't get my hopes up so high. There are lots of good defensive tackles and cornerbacks in the upcomming draft.

 

There is genuinely a bit of a point about whether you really want to use a first on a WR in 2026 when the 2027 class looks at this stage potentially epic. I know you were talking half in jest but it isn't a great CB crop (and there is zero chance Beane spends a high pick on a corner this year anyway) but it IS a strong defensive line group. And take it from the man himself - he will "never apologise" for prioritising the defensive line. If I had to put money on the position of the Bills 2026 first round pick right now I'd put it on a defensive lineman. Probably EDGE over DT, but one or the other. 

[FireChans]

1 hour ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

First off, I've said this a million times already, but the price wouldn't have been a 4th and a 5th for us. If New Orleans has the option of a 4th and 5th from Seattle or from us - they're going to take (and did take) Seattle's.

 

Our record is the same, yes, but historically we make it further than they do and consistently pick below them. And we have a team led by Josh Allen. So for us to get him, we would have had to have beat Seattle's offer. Which we could only do with a 3rd.

 

But beyond that, I think the even bigger issue was that it was 2 picks in the coming Draft. If it were a pick in 2026 and a pick in 2027, that would have been more palatable. But in a year where we only have 7, dropping 2 of them and only having 5 picks is rough. Especially for a guy you only have for half of a season that is more of a role player than a #1 WR.

I mean, we could have offered two 4ths and a 5th. It didn’t need to be a third.

[Bill from NYC]

32 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

There is genuinely a bit of a point about whether you really want to use a first on a WR in 2026 when the 2027 class looks at this stage potentially epic. I know you were talking half in jest but it isn't a great CB crop (and there is zero chance Beane spends a high pick on a corner this year anyway) but it IS a strong defensive line group. And take it from the man himself - he will "never apologise" for prioritising the defensive line. If I had to put money on the position of the Bills 2026 first round pick right now I'd put it on a defensive lineman. Probably EDGE over DT, but one or the other. 

I don't know GB. There might be a slow receiver or two that McDermott might want to trade down for.

[oldmanfan]

If Beane had a shot at someone like Olave or Waddle or Brown (I had my eye on Jeudy personally) and didn’t pull the trigger I’d be ticked off.  I’m not sure Shaheen would have added much to the current roster.  Brady does not call go routes, and if he wanted to Moore of Samuel could do so.  I do think Brady needs to be more inventive with route trees, particularly with Coleman.  But then again, we are the #1 offense in yards per game in the NFL, so what do I know?

[Cray51]

3 hours ago, Pete said:

You have to catch the ball for it to count

 

History with drops

A known issue: Drops were a significant drawback during his time with the Bills, with a career-high of nine in the 2022 season.

Inconsistency: This history of drops contributed to his inconsistent performance and the team eventually moving on from him. 

Current status with the Bills

Recent return: Davis rejoined the Buffalo Bills' practice squad in September 2025 after being released by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Drops have been a concern,but Shaheed's catch rate has only been marginally better than Davis in his career.  Palmer has a better rate than both, so if the goal is a downfield threat with hands Palmer is better than Davis or Shaheed.

[Pete]

2 minutes ago, Cray51 said:

Drops have been a concern,but Shaheed's catch rate has only been marginally better than Davis in his career.  Palmer has a better rate than both, so if the goal is a downfield threat with hands Palmer is better than Davis or Shaheed.

Let's get to know  Rashid Shaheed:

Age: 27
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 180

Targeted: 66
Receptions: 44
Receiving yards: 499
Receiving touchdowns: 2
Drops: 0
That's 55.4 yards per game.

PFF grade: 66.9
Receiving grade: 70.3
Pass snaps: 317
Routes run: 299

Passer rating when targeted 80.3

[boyst]

Let's see if I can make this quick and easy...

 

The biggest reason I liked him (and Waddle or Olave) is because they separate well quickly. Coleman is an outside boundary guy and so is Waddle but Waddle is tough and can be inside too. Olave and Shaheed are smaller slot types and that's fine. 

 

We run a lot. And we do so in close with tight formations, including. 3 TE sets and sometimes a single WR if we don't have Gilliam in at FB. Putting someone like Shaheed out there over Shakir means he can shake free quickly for an RPO. Shakir doesn't do that like Beasley did for us.

 

Having a fast guy who can break coverage like no one else on our roster means we can have more opportunities out of our run formations. That's the only reason I wanted someone else on this roster - more appropriately put: something else on this roster.

 

If anyone wants I'll break it down more. 

[Pete]

Shaheed is career he only played Slot 25%.  He is Outside WR mostly

[Cray51]

21 minutes ago, Pete said:

Let's get to know  Rashid Shaheed:

Age: 27
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 180

Targeted: 66
Receptions: 44
Receiving yards: 499
Receiving touchdowns: 2
Drops: 0
That's 55.4 yards per game.

PFF grade: 66.9
Receiving grade: 70.3
Pass snaps: 317
Routes run: 299

Passer rating when targeted 80.3

Yea I've googled him.  Hence why I know his catch rate is 63% for his career.  Davis is 53%.  It's an improvement, but for reference Palmer's catch rate is 65%.  So again, if you want a downfield threat in the offense, Palmer per their careers is probably the best option.

 

I'm not saying Shaheed isn't a decent option, but he (by the numbers) would even be the best downfield threat on this team even if we acquired him.  Palmer is a better version of Shaheed.  If Beane believes Palmer will be ready to go by the playoffs, I could see why he wouldn't want to target Shaheed really at all.  In addition, when you factor in cost to acquire, if Davis for free gives you an 8-10% loss in production compared to Shaheed for what would likely have been a 3rd or 4th+4th next year, going with Davis makes sense.

 

As I said in earlier posts - if Shaheed was a 6th to acquire, I wouldn't bat an eye.  But a 3rd or two 4ths?  I dont think that makes sense.

[Pete]

Drop Rate and Catch Rate are similar, but different metrics.  
 

Drop Rate is basically how many drops on catchable passes.  WR should catch it.

 

Catch Rate also takes route running, and other factors into it. Did WR put themselves in the right spot to catch the ball, and did they catch it. 
 

Same difference in someways- if you drop it, or if don’t get to ball because your route was off- same result- incomplete pass, not the QBs fault

 

Im a big Palmer fan.  I liked his game on the Chargers.  I loved the signing.  We just need Palmer to get healthy.  He will most definitely help the passing game 

Edited 3 minutes ago by Pete

[SoCal Deek]

Yikes! After reading through page after page on Shaheed I feel I know him better than some of my own family members. What’s lost in all of this is any discussion about the Bills own missing person: Joshua Palmer. He was acquired this offseason (and not for free) to be our WR2 and in just seven games he’s already a complete afterthought. 

Edited 7 minutes ago by SoCal Deek