Who Should I Start? J.K. Dobbins or Khalil Shakir

Monday, February 23, 9:07 AM

Denver Broncos impending free-agent running back J.K. Dobbins (foot) made it clear that he'd prefer to re-sign with the team this offseason, but The Athletic's Nick Kosmider expects the team "to explore multiple other options first." Before a season-ending Lisfranc foot injury, Dobbins was in the midst of a career year in 2025, rushing for 772 yards through the first 10 weeks, the fifth-highest output in the NFL. He has averaged 5.2 yards per carry since entering the NFL as a second-round pick by the Baltimore Ravens in 2020, but staying on the field has been an issue. Last year was the fourth time since Dobbins entered the league in which he played in 10 games or fewer due to injury. Dobbins has been productive when healthy, but the Broncos need a "player with some longer-term upside to pair with RJ Harvey." Because of his lengthy injury history, Dobbins will be hard to trust in fantasy, and he's unlikely to find work as a true RB1 workhorse back in free agency.

Friday, February 27, 2:17 PM

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir, who signed a four-year, $60.2 million contract with the team in February of last year, is a player "likely taking on a bigger role" next season, according to Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN. New head coach Joe Brady called Shakir "one of the team's best football players" and noted his ability to play both inside and outside. The 26-year-old has mostly operated out of the slot in his four years in Buffalo, but it sounds like Brady has more ideas of how to get him the ball in 2026. The former fifth-round pick in 2022 out of Boise State had 72 receptions on 95 targets for 719 yards and a career-high-tying four touchdowns in 16 regular-season games last season. Shakir also contributed 124 punt-return yards on special teams during the regular season. Shakir's involvement next year will also depend on any offseason additions on offense. It feels like the 6-foot, 190-pounder's ceiling was probably his 821-yard, 76-catch 2024 campaign.