Who Should I Start? Khalil Shakir or Josh Downs

Monday, January 27, 2:05 AM

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir caught six of his seven targets for 46 yards during Sunday's AFC Championship loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. The talented slot receiver led the team in targets and receptions during the defeat. Although Buffalo wasn't able to punch its ticket to Super Bowl LIX, Shakir played well. He has delivered solid results through two games against the Chiefs this year, dropping 14 catches and 116 yards on a Kansas City defense that is susceptible to big showings from slot receivers. In the coming months, there will be plenty of chatter about the Bills looking to add a true No. 1 receiver after numerous failed efforts to knock the Chiefs off their pedestal in the AFC. However, if Buffalo doesn't make a major splash at wide receiver, Shakir has shown that he's capable of handling a large dose of targets while ranking as a low-end WR2 in fantasy football. He remains an appealing option for managers ahead of 2025 fantasy drafts, barring a major shakeup within the Bills' depth chart.

Sunday, January 5, 8:52 PM

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs caught 10 of his 13 targets for 94 yards during Sunday's Week 18 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Colts' passing attack has seen a significant boost ever since quarterback Joe Flacco took over for the injured Anthony Richardson (back), but Downs truly took his productivity to the next level during Sunday's season finale. He finishes the 2024 campaign with 72 catches, 803 yards, and five touchdowns. Each of these three marks represented season-highs, topping the totals he delivered as a rookie last year. Downs has firmly established himself as an appealing 1B option with the Colts, pairing nicely alongside their 1A receiver, Michael Pittman Jr. The UNC product will rank as a high-end WR3 when 2025 fantasy football drafts kick off next summer, and he has even greater appeal in dynasty leagues.