KhalilShakir

News: 1 day agoShakir turned seven catches (on eight targets) into 82 yards during the Bills' 29-26 loss to the Patriots on Sunday. He also lost a fumble.

Spin: Shakir's final stat line Sunday nearly matched his 8-94-0 line on 15 targets across the first three games of the regular season. Most of the veteran slot receiver's yards came on a 51-yard connection with Josh Allen late in the second quarter, with the latter finishing the drive with a two-yard rushing touchdown. Unfortunately for Shakir, he also had the ball ripped out of his hands by Robert Spillane within the final seconds of the first half, though the Bills avoided any damage after the defense intercepted Patriots quarterback Drake Maye on the very next play. DJ Moore aggravated a previous shoulder injury during Sunday's loss, and while it's not considered a long-term issue, Bills pass catchers like Shakir, Keon Coleman and tight end Dalton Kincaid are all candidates to see more targets from Allen if Moore cannot play in Week 5 against the Rams on Monday, Oct. 12.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: Shakir has settled in as a reliable, short-range target for Josh Allen, though the role hasn't led to much fantasy success. The 2022 fifth-round pick has cleared a 20% target share and 70 catches in consecutive seasons, ranking top five among receivers in catch rate and RAC both years. A nonfactor near the goal line, however, Shakir totaled eight TDs and five end zone targets during the span. Shakir finished the two seasons just outside of the top 35 fantasy receivers and will now have to compete with DJ Moore for the team lead in targets. Shakir was already barely worth flex consideration, so the potential for a slight decrease in target volume suggests the 26-year-old is no more than a low-ceiling bench option.