Who Should I Start? Khalil Shakir or Rome Odunze

Thursday, August 7, 9:38 AM

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir (ankle) is progressing nicely through a high ankle sprain, according to coach Sean McDermott, and the 25-year-old receiver is currently on pace to be ready for Week 1. Shakir had 100 targets in 15 games last season with career highs of 76 catches, 821 receiving yards, and four touchdowns. Shakir is expected to be the team's top receiver once again this season, and it's good news that he should be available for Week 1. If he's limited or does miss time, there would be more work for Keon Coleman and newcomers Elijah Moore and Joshua Palmer. While he will likely miss most of the preseason, Shakir's still a WR4 in standard leagues since he has such an established relationship with Josh Allen, but monitor his progress as the preseason continues.

Tuesday, July 29, 7:52 PM

Chicago Bears second-year wide receiver Rome Odunze has been the recipient of some of the offense's best plays so far in training camp, Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic writes, and his skill set will give new head coach Ben Johnson flexibility because of the way Odunze can win one-on-one matchups. "To me, he fits that prototypical 'X' receiver where you can line him up outside the numbers and, provided he gets a one-on-one with a corner, he's going to win most of his matchups, slant routes, stop routes, go routes, the whole route tree outside the numbers," Johnson said. The new head coach continues to praise the 23-year-old, which is why the Bears coaching staff is expecting a big Year 2 leap from Odunze. There will be stiff target competition in Chicago's offense, but with Keenan Allen now gone, Odunze should definitely have lots more upside as a WR3/flex in 2025.