DraftKings tabs this Bills player as a fantasy sleeper to breakout

DraftKings has named a Buffalo Bills player as a potential breakout pass-catcher this upcoming year.

One whom they believe to be a prime fantasy football sleeper they say you should target in your respective fantasy football drafts for the 2024 season.

The player they believe will benefit fantasy team owners who draft him is Bills WR Khalil Shakir, who DraftKings writer Chet Gresham believes will pick up where he left off last season.

He points out that the target leader in the passing game this upcoming season figures to be receiving tight end Dalton Kincaid based on usage. And also with Buffalo’s array of offensive weapons and no clear No. 1 receiving target, Joe Brady’s offense figures to both be spread out. After Kincaid Shakir is one of the next most experienced go-to target options due to his prior chemistry and familiarity with the offense in the company of many new faces in the receiving corps.

That being said, receiving back James Cook figures to operate in a similar capacity, and to some degree Bills’ fourth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, RB Ray Davis, has some impressive receiving skills he may contribute as well.

Shakir saw an increased role as last season unfolded, as WR1 Stefon Diggs commanded double team coverage, and the receiver in his second year saw more open opportunities.

Here is some more of what he had to say about Shakir specifically…

Khalil Shakir, sleeper

Shakir, like all “sleepers,” isn’t really a sleeper, as everyone knows he played well in limited work last year and the Top 2 receivers on the team are gone. But, he is also going off the board as WR54 in early ADP . You still have to grab him in the 8th-9th round, so he’s not a flier, but it’s worth it.

We have Shakir tied to one of the best quarterbacks in the league in Josh Allen and in a spot he could easily lead the wide receivers in targets. He knows the offense and already has a good rapport with Allen. And last season he was extremely efficient, catching 39-of-45 targets for 611 yards and two touchdowns, while adding 10 receptions for 75 yards and two touchdowns in two playoff games. He finished the season with a PFF receiving grade of 75.2, second to just Diggs on the team.

Final thoughts

Shakir is no lock, but he has shown enough to get the nod as WR1 on the team headed into training camp. He also showed Josh Allen that he was trustworthy, especially toward the end of the season and in the playoffs. We can’t expect huge target numbers, as the team would like to spread the ball around, but Shakir has earned his shot and in a great offense and has been efficient in doing so.