Who Should I Start? Laviska Shenault Jr. or Jordan Watkins

Thursday, July 24, 9:16 AM

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. was placed on the non-football injury list on Wednesday. Shenault missed the first day of practice with a lower leg strain, with head coach Sean McDermott declining to offer a timetable for a return, instead calling Shenault "day-to-day". Shenault is beginning his first season with the Bills after the Seattle Seahawks released him following the 2024 season. Shenault will battle with several others to be one of the final receivers on the Buffalo roster, with his skills as a returner on special teams most likely giving him a leg up on the competition, assuming his injury doesn't linger.

Friday, June 13, 12:31 PM

San Francisco 49ers rookie fourth-round wide receiver Jordan Watkins hasn't been perfect in offseason workouts this spring, but The Athletic's Matt Barrows writes that he has stood out in the way that Ricky Pearsall (hamstring) did a year ago. He took a number of snaps with the first-team offense with Pearsall, Brandon Aiyuk (knee) and Jauan Jennings (calf) sidelined, showcasing his speed and fluidity in routes. Watkins doesn't break stride when catching the ball, which makes him an asset on crossing routes that are such a big part of head coach Kyle Shanahan's offense. The 23-year-old also has thick legs and a big lower body, which should help him break tackles and pick up yards after the catch. Watkins had nine total touchdowns at Ole Miss in 2024, and while he probably won't get on the field much in his rookie season, he could be an immediate factor on special teams.