Who Should I Start? Christian Watson or Khalil Shakir

Wednesday, July 23, 3:45 PM

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (knee), who suffered a torn ACL near the end of last season, is recovering well, according to general manager Brian Gutekunst. Gutekunst said his rehab is going "great," and the former North Dakota State speedster did a test run earlier in the week. "It's an ACL, so we're going to take our time with him," Gutekunst said. "But he's pressing to get out there." Watson has missed 13 games through the first three seasons of his pro career since being selected in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Overall, he has hauled in 98 of his 172 targets for 1,653 yards and 14 touchdowns. It's a positive sign that he is recovering quickly, but his fantasy prospects are tough to believe in based on what we've seen thus far and the addition of Texas wideout Matthew Golden in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Monday, July 28, 5:33 PM

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir is looking to take the next step in 2025 after bursting onto the scene in 2024 with 76 catches, 821 receiving yards and four touchdowns during the regular season. Bills beat writer Maddy Glab says that this year, Shakir is looking to be quicker and to find new ways to separate from defensive backs. "First step quickness, always trying to improve on that," Shakir said of what he worked on this offseason. "Speed, just withholding speed for a certain amount of time and that quick burst, as well as separation. Just finding new ways and new releases to get open against man coverage." The 25-year-old had a high target share and plenty of yards after the catch, but the Bills spread the ball around too much to make him anything more than a WR3/flex. It's likely to continue, and his lack of red-zone usage makes Shakir a low-ceiling WR4/flex target.