Who Should I Start? Khalil Shakir or Brian Thomas Jr.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
9.8 0.5 0.0 4.0 44.6 0.2

Khalil Shakir News

Khalil Shakir Could Be Facing a Reduced Workload in 2026

Wednesday, July 8, 10:37 AM

Across 16 games (10 starts) in 2025, Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir recorded 72 catches for 719 yards and four touchdowns on 95 targets. The 26-year-old has been a high-floor, low-ceiling wide receiver option for fantasy managers in recent seasons, finishing as the WR37 in per-game PPR scoring in 2024 and the WR43 by the same measure in 2025. Shakir's primary usage in the Bills offense is as a short-area target out of the slot, as he averaged 10 yards per reception and 7.6 yards per target last year. Shakir has averaged 6.3 targets per game since the start of 2024, but he may not see such steady volume in 2026 following Buffalo's offseason acquisition of veteran wideout DJ Moore. Given Shakir's dependence on target volume for fantasy production, dynasty managers may want to consider moving him ahead of a possible workload decline in 2026.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
10.3 1.0 0.0 3.4 51.1 0.3

Brian Thomas Jr. News

Brian Thomas Jr. to be Used More Down the Field?

Wednesday, June 24, 11:06 AM

NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe reports that multiple people on the Jacksonville Jaguars coaching staff have said that wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. has come back on strong during offseason workouts and has focused on the mental element of his game as well as improving his chemistry with quarterback Trevor Lawrence as he enters Year 3 in 2026. One source told Wolfe that Thomas has been "night and day" this offseason compared to his disappointing sophomore campaign in 2025, in which he caught 48 of 91 targets for 707 yards and two touchdowns in 14 regular-season starts after posting an 87-1,282-10 line in 17 games in his rookie season. The former first-rounder out of LSU is expected to be used a lot more down the field in 2026 on vertical routes, and the Jags think that's where the 23-year-old can really take the next step. Thomas is going to have to battle for targets with Jakobi Meyers, Parker Washington, and tight end Brenton Strange, but all signs this offseason are pointing towards a clear bounce-back for Thomas. Target him as a solid WR3/flex with upside for more in 2026 fantasy drafts.


Khalil Shakir vs. Brian Thomas Jr.

Still trying to decide between Shakir and Thomas Jr.? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Khalil Shakir is projected to score 9.8 points this week while Brian Thomas Jr. is projected to score 10.3 points.