It is very easy to make the argument that the Buffalo Bills have the weakest wide receiver room in the entire league. They don’t have anyone that teams truly fear as they game plan for Buffalo. Sure, they can make plays but it’s not at a consistent rate. Last season was an outlier of the Bills not having a true No. 1 wideout yet still dominating on offense. That’s not the case this season.
Buffalo can’t create separation as well on the outside, and that forces Josh Allen to hold onto the ball longer than he should and force throws to try and make a play. Since Week 5 against the Patriots, the Bills have heavily struggled with their receivers creating separation. Buffalo hasn’t established a passing attack that can be considered a true threat to opponents.
One wideout that got a contract extension this offseason from the Bills was Khalil Shakir, who came off a career year last season with over 800 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns. The Bills gave him a four-year deal worth over $60 million.
Shakir was the start of the Bills taking care of their own from the 2022 draft class as they extended him, Terrel Bernard, Christian Benford, and James Cook. However, you could make the argument that Shakir is not living up to the contract that he was just given.
While Shakir mainly plays out of the slot, his contract extension that he got should show that he deserved it and that hasn’t been the case. He’s only had one game of above 70 yards, despite being targeted 5+ times in seven of Buffalo’s games.
Whether it’s because he and Allen aren’t on the same page, or if the playcalling is questionable, Shakir is not putting up the production that the Bills should be looking for considering where they are currently at. Now with the Bills not having Dalton Kincaid due to a hamstring injury, and still some uncertainty with Joshua Palmer, Shakir has to find a way to be "that guy" against Tampa's defense.
Bills need Khalil Shakir to step up vs. Buccaneers
Tampa is giving up over 230 yards through the air against teams this season, which should help Shakir get some volume for this matchup. With the Buccaneers having a better run-defense, this is where Joe Brady needs to tap into the playbook and find a way to get the pass going and make Shakir the No. 1 option for Josh Allen.
With the season being over halfway done and the Bills fighting for a playoff spot at this point, someone outside of Allen and James Cook needs to step up on offense. With Shakir getting the contract he did this past March, he should be the one that becomes the difference maker for the Bills this Sunday.