Buffalo Bills quick reaction 2022 NFL Draft grades: Khalil Shakir

The Buffalo Bills entered Day 3 with six picks, including four in the sixth round, but used one of those sixth round picks to move up 20 spots in the fifth round in a trade with the Chicago Bears. They made that jump to select wide receiver Khalil Shakir out of Boise State.

Shakir was a productive wide receiver over the past three seasons with Boise State and averaged 64 receptions, 902 receiving yards, and just over six receiving touchdowns per season.

Grade for the Buffalo Bills’ selection of Khalil Shakir: A

The Buffalo Bills needed to add some speed to the wide receiver position and they did just that with the selection of Khalil Shakir. He is an interesting player as he brings some versatility to the position as well since he can play both outside or in the slot at 6’0″ and 190 pounds.

With the depth the Bills have at the position, they can be patient with Shakir and let him develop a bit as a rookie. Then in Year 2, he likely would compete for the starting slot receiver position even though he could play outside.

As a rookie though, he could find his way onto the field as he does have experience as a returner. In the four seasons with Boise State, he had 24 punt returns and seven kickoff returns and last year he averaged over 12 yards per punt return and over 28 yards per kickoff return (although it was only two kickoffs).

The Buffalo Bills don’t have a clear option currently at either the punt return or kickoff return positions. Shakir should compete for that job as a rookie and if he can show good ball security, he should have a good chance of winning that job.