Who Should I Start? Khalil Shakir or Cedric Tillman

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.

Saturday, July 26, 1:18 PM

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Cedric Tillman (calf) is back at training camp practice on Saturday, according to The Athletic's Zac Jackson. Tillman left practice early on Friday with what appeared to be calf cramping, but he's back in action a day later and shouldn't have any concerns going forward. The 25-year-old former third-rounder (74th overall) in 2023 out of Tennessee came on strong midway through last season when Jameis Winston took over at quarterback, but a concussion cut his season short. Heading into his third year in the NFL, he should be a starter in three-wide sets for Cleveland next to Jerry Jeudy and Diontae Johnson. In his two seasons with the Browns, Tillman has caught 50 of 93 targets for 563 yards and three touchdowns in 25 games (nine starts). He has opportunity, but with either Joe Flacco or Kenny Pickett at QB, Tillman's fantasy upside will be limited.