The 2024 NFL season for the Buffalo Bills is one of curiosity and excitement, along with some serious question marks. The biggest is the wide receiver position for these Bills, considering they no longer have Stefon Diggs and Gabriel Davis. These two were the top targets for the Bills the past few seasons, especially Diggs.
With that, let's take a deep dive and find out who could be the leader of this receiver room, or if it's by committee.
Khalil Shakir
Khalil Shakir showed significant growth in the last half of the 2023 season for the Bills, and it was sort of a preview of what things are expected for the third-year receiver. He was a clutch receiver for the Bills in the last half of 2023, both in the regular season and the playoffs. Now, he isn't the number one target of this Bills offense, that is most likely going to be second-year tight end, Dalton Kincaid. But, 2024 could be very kind for Shakir. His target share and catches should increase, along with his touchdown production.
Prediction: 62 catches, 83 targets, 708 yards (11.4 YPC) 6 touchdowns
Curtis Samuel
The Bills invested a decent amount into Curtis Samuel in the off-season, giving him a contract of $24 million dollars for 3 years, and he could be worth every penny. He had his best season with Joe Brady in Carolina, eclipsing 1,000 all purpose yards. He could reach that with the Bills potentially for this season. He will be used not just as a receiver, but also as a runner.
Prediction: 64 catches, 85 targets, 683 yards (10.67 YPC) 4 touchdowns
Mack Hollins
Hollins is a nice player to have for this squad. Not only is he a veteran who can be a leader for some of the younger receivers, but he is also a great special teams player and could be used for red zone opportunities for this offense. His predictive stats might not jump off the page, but he could be used in high-pressure moments that could be the difference between a win and a loss.
Prediction: 24 catches, 32 targets, 230 yards (9.6 YPC) 4 touchdowns
Marquez Valdez-Scantling
Valdez-Scantling has been part of two Super Bowls in the last two seasons, and has won both times with the Kansas City Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes. Before Kansas City, he played in Green Bay with then quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who had back to back MVP seasons. Now he gets to play with Josh Allen, and hopefully that magic he had with those two previous teams can elevate the Bills and Josh Allen to a higher level. If nothing else, he brings that winning mentality and championship experience to this roster.
Prediction: 23 catches, 44 targets, 374 yards (16.26 YPC) 3 touchdowns
Keon Coleman
Coleman as a player is so polarizing. He did not get enough separation at the college level and his 40 yard dash time at the NFL combine left something to be desired. But his play speed in the gauntlet drill at the combine was one of the fastest and he caught everything that came his way. His athleticism combined with his long frame and his basketball background at Michigan State could set him up for success in the NFL. This was one of the hardest receiver to make a prediction for, not just because he hasn't played a snap in the NFL. It's also because he could be a star in the making, or he could be a solid role player for his career. Time will tell.