How do you envision Khalil Shakir being utilized in this years offense?

[HoofHearted]

Brady has said he wants to take advantage of each players individual skill sets within this offense. Couple that with the uptick in production we saw out of Shakir at the end of last season once Brady took over, and one could assume he’s primed to be a focal point in this offense (albeit not to the level that Diggs was). So what say you. How would you get the most out of Shakir’s skill set within this offense? (There are no wrong answers and I’ll give my opinions later as not to influence the responses).

[Your Brown Eye]

same as last year

[appoo]

1 hour ago, HoofHearted said:

Brady has said he wants to take advantage of each players individual skill sets within this offense. Couple that with the uptick in production we saw out of Shakir at the end of last season once Brady took over, and one could assume he’s primed to be a focal point in this offense (albeit not to the level that Diggs was). So what say you. How would you get the most out of Shakir’s skill set within this offense? (There are no wrong answers and I’ll give my opinions later as not to influence the responses).

Great Question!

 

Shakir is the true inside/outside weapon in this offense. He’ll play a similar role thag Diggs played from 2020-2022, when he still had his deeper speed. 
 

I see him running 80% of his routes as short and intermediate, and often lining up as a z to Keon Coleman’s X, with Kincaid running the slot, and the other 20% the deeper seams, posts, etc

 

When we want to threaten to to take the lid off I think we bring in MVS to be an outside guy and shift Shakir inside.

 

whoel Khalil isn’t as talented as Diggs, I think he’ll do a lot of damage

[wjag]

His strength seems to be YAC.  So crossing patterns...

[NoHuddleKelly12]

He really reminds me of a shorter version of Andre Reed out there in terms of his overall route versatility—take a look at his highlights tape from last year and you’ll see what I mean—Allen finds him in a variety of different ways, and then often there is good YAC shown. So I expect more of the same, just higher output with Diggs gone. 
https://youtu.be/mPcLM0Zz1zQ?feature=shared

 

[Mat68]

Diggs light.  Not the volume Diggs received but he will be deployed in a similar way.  Very good in the short game.  When defenses crowd up he is fast enough to get behind coverage.  I think for non Buffalo Bills fans he will be the biggest surprise of offense.  

[Monty98]

I'd like to see him used as Deebo lite. Return punts, used in the backfield and mostly out of the slot. He's got the build to be a bully against DBs, and he's quick enough to get past the LBs. He was that guy at Boise and he's got the ability to open a lot underneath for Josh and let Kincaid and Samuel be the intermediate guys

[Chicken Boo]

1 hour ago, NoHuddleKelly12 said:

He really reminds me of a shorter version of Andre Reed out there in terms of his overall route versatility—take a look at his highlights tape from last year and you’ll see what I mean—Allen finds him in a variety of different ways, and then often there is good YAC shown. So I expect more of the same, just higher output with Diggs gone. 
https://youtu.be/mPcLM0Zz1zQ?feature=shared

 

 

So I'm not the only one who sees the similarity with 83.   

 

Even the catch at 2:08 is reminiscent of Andre's tip toe TD catch in the comeback game

Edited May 29 by Chicken Boo

[Alphadawg7]

I think you will see more of what we saw last year once Brady took over, with an uptick in target volume in which I expect his 45 targets will rise somewhere between 85-110 targets.  I think Shakir will be either 2nd or 3rd in targets on the team this year just depending on how many targets end up with Keon and Kincaid.  Personally, I think Kincaid is going to probably lead the team in targets.  

 

They are going to move Shakir around inside and out and put him positions to utilize his excellent YAC ability similar to how SF does with Deebo (minus all the rush carries).  I think Allen and the staff have a lot trust in him, and he is the only WR with any experience with Allen giving him a leg up on trust and timing with Allen.  

 

However...as I say that, there is an interesting scenario developing here with the guys behind those 3 above, and that is all 3 of Samuel, Hollins and Claypool are making early big impressions on all the coaches and Allen.  That 4th option in the passing game (that isn't a RB) typically doesn't put up a lot of production unless injuries have helped elevate someone's production like Davis in his first 2 seasons.  

 

2023 - Harty - 15 rec, 150 yds

2022 - Shakir - 10 rec, 161 yds

2021 - Davis - 35 rec, 549 yds (but Davis was not your typical WR4, he was backing up Sanders who got hurt which is where Davis production really came in once he got starters targets with Sanders out and then more shared WR2 role with Sanders when he got back as the offense was playing better with Davis than Sanders).  If you look at the person who was more the WR4 role it was McKenzie who put up 20 rec, 178 yds.

2020 - Davis - 35 rec, 599 yds (but again, Davis only got this much production because John Brown missed a lot of games, he wasn't getting this production as a WR4 which again was more McKenzie who put up 30 rec, 282 yds).

 

Now we know Samuel is going to get a decent amount of targets too, especially after paying him and signing him 3 years, not to mention nothing but positive buzz and confidence in him has been coming out.  But what happens if Hollins or especially Claypool continue to impress and make a case to be more involved in the offense?  Where are all the targets going to come from?  

 

Bills had 545 total targets last year with Diggs taking up 160 of them.  We know that Keon (who will start at the X) will get a decent amount of targets this year.  It won't be Diggs like, but he should be somewhere between 75 and 100 targets himself.  Kincaid saw 91 targets last year, safe to say he probably sees an increase, so I would guess 100-110 targets.  Those 2 alone are probably close to or just over 200 targets, so lets just call it 200 targets.  

 

Shakir probably sees 85-100+ targets, so lets call that 90 targets.  Last year, Cook got 54 of the 86 targets that went to RB's last year...I think with the addition of Davis and bringing Ty back, we might see that total target share jump to 100 for the RB room.  So that would be 190 targets between Shakir and the RB's.  

 

This leaves us 155 targets to spread out to Samuel, and guys like Knox, Hollins, Claypool, and MVS of which at least 2 of those WR's are making this roster, possibly all 3.  If you figure Samuel gets 75 of them, that leaves 80 targets for guys like Knox, Hollins, Claypool, and MVS.  Which would make sense...unless someone like Claypool or Hollins impresses enough to be a bigger part of the offense.  I mean Claypool has the talent to start here if he can get his head right.  

I love Shakir, and think he will be an excellent part of our offense this year.  But, I do think Hollins and Claypool are wildcards where if one of them continues to impress could carve out a bigger role than what we have typically seen deeper on our WR depth chart in a true rotational spread the ball around system.  And if one of them does, it will be interesting to see how the targets shift around amongst Keon, Kincaid, Shakir and the RB's to account for it.    

 

Funny, working on this post just made me amped to see this squad out there.  We may not be "top heavy" with a proven elite WR at the moment, but we are very deep with playmakers and quality.  I think Allen might have the most fun of his career this year throwing to this group.  

 

 

Edited May 29 by Alphadawg7

[Ethan in Cleveland]

I'd prefer he was used as Beasley was in 2020. That's about 80 receptions for almost 1000 yards. The perfect chain mover underneath. That would mean his target volume would jump quite a bit but his YPC would drop running more underneath routes.  

 

Yes he can play outside but there are others than can play outside. 

 

I have a tendency to want to emulate Tom Brady and Pats offense. That means a great TE Gronk (Kincaid and Knox in the aggregate) and a weapon in the slot - Edelman and Welker (Shakir).  With Bills run game and a couple outside threats, this offense should be able to run so many different formations and plays with the same personel. Should keep defenses guessing.  

[Mat68]

30 minutes ago, Ethan in Cleveland said:

I'd prefer he was used as Beasley was in 2020. That's about 80 receptions for almost 1000 yards. The perfect chain mover underneath. That would mean his target volume would jump quite a bit but his YPC would drop running more underneath routes.  

 

Yes he can play outside but there are others than can play outside. 

 

I have a tendency to want to emulate Tom Brady and Pats offense. That means a great TE Gronk (Kincaid and Knox in the aggregate) and a weapon in the slot - Edelman and Welker (Shakir).  With Bills run game and a couple outside threats, this offense should be able to run so many different formations and plays with the same personel. Should keep defenses guessing.  

He will do both.  Diggs lined up in the slot.  Difference was  Beasley didn't have the frame or speed to play outside.  Shakir does.  I think the passing game ls more Samuel and Shakir.  Similar to what NE ran.   Hollins, Claypool, and MVS are here to take some load off of Coleman until he is ready to roll.  The more Coleman can handle the more he will be given.  This allows Coleman to be built up at his pace.  

[Royale with Cheese]

3 hours ago, wjag said:

His strength seems to be YAC.  So crossing patterns...

 

Yep.  He's quick and agile and it's hard for defenders to keep up with him in tight spaces.

[Don Otreply]

I see Shakir being used in both the slot (65% ish) and outside (35% ish) on average, with some other “stuff” thrown in to keep defenses guessing some. A similar concept will imo, likely be used with most of the receivers who make the team, of course playing the to their respective strengths the majority of the time, but again, mixing things up a little to keep defenses guessing to some degree, the offense can not fall into the being predictable trap like when to many passes were being thrown to Diggs, especially in the post season, jmo.

[Matt_In_NH]

This guy has the right attitude and is a true pro,  I see him having the potential to become an elite slot.

[Alphadawg7]

1 hour ago, Ethan in Cleveland said:

I'd prefer he was used as Beasley was in 2020. That's about 80 receptions for almost 1000 yards. The perfect chain mover underneath. That would mean his target volume would jump quite a bit but his YPC would drop running more underneath routes.  

 

Yes he can play outside but there are others than can play outside. 

 

I have a tendency to want to emulate Tom Brady and Pats offense. That means a great TE Gronk (Kincaid and Knox in the aggregate) and a weapon in the slot - Edelman and Welker (Shakir).  With Bills run game and a couple outside threats, this offense should be able to run so many different formations and plays with the same personel. Should keep defenses guessing.  

 

Shakir is capable of a lot more than Cole was though who was really one note kind of WR.  He was a short area specialist...Shakir is faster, bigger, stronger, and much better YAC and can attack the defense in all 3 phases of the game.  And he can do that out of the slot or being moved around.  

 

So I think you limit the value of Shakir if you try and replicate Cole.  

[Nephilim17]

Lots of volume but mostly from the slot. It's been talked to death but if he succeeds outside with his very short arms he will be a historical outlier. I'm not betting on that. But it's fine if he's "just' a very good slot guy.

[muppy]

2 hours ago, Matt_In_NH said:

This guy has the right attitude and is a true pro,  I see him having the potential to become an elite slot.

I would love to see this. He has good hands and as has also been mentioned he can run after the catch.  The Bills DO have offensive weapons. We just need them to produce.   And not shoot themselves in the foot being sloppy or bad penalties. Then the offense will be a success. 
 

[Mark Vader]

I envision them having Shakir running his routes and catching passes.

[ColoradoBills]

Shakir has gained Josh's trust.  His ceiling is now raised very high.

I agree with most that he will get a lot of slot snaps, but his real top line worth is how well he can do when lined up outside.

If he can excel outside too, it makes him much more of a weapon and stresses the defense.

 

The Bills tried a lot of WR screens with not great results.  I would like to see Shakir, Samuel and a good blocking WR (MVS/Coleman)

bunched up.  Some interesting options could open up with plays like that.  I guess my real hope is seeing Shakir (and others) in roles

not typical in recent Bills offenses.

[HappyDays]

4 hours ago, Alphadawg7 said:

Shakir is capable of a lot more than Cole was though who was really one note kind of WR.  He was a short area specialist...Shakir is faster, bigger, stronger, and much better YAC and can attack the defense in all 3 phases of the game.

 

Shakir is better after the catch but Beasley was much better before the catch. That's why I think he might just be better as an inherently low target player... He's no more than average as a separator and I appreciate that he has sure hands but he's not going to be a contested catch specialist with that body type. His is a very valuable skill set but it's complementary, not focal, IMO.

 

So as to how I would like to see Shakir used - I want him ideally to get 4-5 targets per game. Primarily schemed throws from free releases that give him the ball in space. He plays like a greased up pig with the ball in his hands, his YAC is very deceptive and I really appreciate that about his game. For similar reasons he makes an excellent check down/outlet. If the plan is to use him more than 33% outside I think that plan will fail. Stick him where his skill set can shine and don't mess with a good thing.