Who Should I Start? Khalil Shakir or Josh Downs


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 Faces Volume Concerns in 2026

Saturday, August 8, 7:45 AM

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir is likely to see reduced volume in the 2026 season following the team's offseason moves. Over the past two seasons, Shakir has been the team's WR1, averaging more than 4.5 receptions and about 50 yards per game. However, the Bills added former Panthers and Bears wideout D.J. Moore this offseason, which appears to be paying off. Star quarterback Josh Allen said it's "exciting as a quarterback when you have someone like that," and even Shakir said that Allen and Moore's "connection has been unreal. When you watch stuff like that, it just feels fake, like how beautiful that play was." While Shakir will remain in his slot role for the 2026 season, with Moore's elite after-the-catch ability, you could see some of Shakir's manufactured targets disappear this year.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
10.3 0.5 0.0 4.3 44.6 0.2

Josh Downs News

Josh Downs Back at Practice

Tuesday, August 11, 7:02 AM

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (groin) is in attendance for Tuesday's joint practice session with the New England Patriots. Downs missed three consecutive practices while dealing with a groin issue, but after a travel day on Monday, he will take the field in Foxboro. With starters unlikely to see much, if any, action in the team's preseason opener on Thursday, Tuesday's work against an unfamiliar opponent will serve to prepare the team for the regular season, and Downs' presence is a major boon. At RotoBaller's WR40, Downs is a 2026 breakout candidate who could be in line for his second career 100-target season following the departure of Michael Pittman Jr. in an offseason trade to the Steelers.


Khalil Shakir vs. Josh Downs

Still trying to decide between Shakir and Downs? 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 Josh Downs is projected to score 10.3 points.