Who Should I Start? Khalil Shakir or Travis Hunter

Tuesday, January 13, 6:48 PM

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir was one of the stars of his team's Wild Card Weekend win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, recording 12 receptions for 82 yards on 12 targets. On a day when no other Buffalo pass-catcher earned more than five targets, Shakir proved he has earned the trust of Bills quarterback Josh Allen. Heading into the team's Divisional round matchup against the Denver Broncos, Allen may be forced to lean on Shakir even more heavily. Buffalo wide receivers Gabe Davis (knee) and Tyrell Shavers (knee) both suffered season-ending knee injuries during the game against Jacksonville, further depleting an already undermanned Bills' wide receiver corps. Outside of Shakir, Buffalo will likely be relying on wideouts Keon Coleman and Brandin Cooks, both of whom recorded fewer than 40 receptions during the regular season. Even in a tough matchup against Denver, Shakir profiles as a high-floor wide receiver option for fantasy managers given his high likelihood for significant target volume.

Monday, January 26, 2:34 PM

ESPN's Michael DiRocco writes that "early indications" are that Jacksonville Jaguars two-way star and former Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter is "primarily going to be a cornerback and have a package of plays on offense." Hunter's rookie season in the NFL was cut short by a season-ending knee injury, but he finished the year as more of a receiver than a cornerback. He played 67% of the offensive snaps and 36% of the defensive snaps before his non-contact knee injury in practice on Oct. 30. The Jaguars will continue to use Hunter on offense, but they have more of a need at defensive back going into next season. Hunter could start across from Jourdan Lewis while also playing in nickel situations. What general manager James Gladstone does in free agency will help clarify what exactly the Jags will do with Hunter, but right now, it looks like his fantasy football stock will drop drastically.