Who Should I Start? Tyrell Shavers or Javon Baker

Saturday, August 9, 7:15 PM

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Tyrell Shavers totaled a team-high 70 yards on two catches in a 34-25 preseason-opening loss to the New York Giants on Saturday. Shavers finished with four targets and did the majority of his damage on a 58-yard connection with quarterback Mitchell Trubisky near the end of the first half. Now 25 years old, Shavers has been with the Bills since they signed him as an undrafted free agent from San Diego State in 2023. He made the only three regular-season appearances of his career in 2024 and recorded his lone catch, a dump-off from Trubisky that he turned into a 69-yard touchdown in a Week 17 rout of the New York Jets. Shavers is fighting for a roster spot this summer behind Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, Joshua Palmer, Curtis Samuel, and Elijah Moore. While Saturday's performance should help his cause, his ability to play special teams may be what earns him a job.

Tuesday, August 12, 1:08 AM

New England Patriots wide receiver Javon Baker has been working with the special teams unit during practice and in the preseason opener against Washington. Additionally, the second-year wideout continuously makes highlight catches when given the opportunity on offense. It's a positive to see Baker taking on and succeeding in any possible role under the new coaching staff, as it could earn him an opportunity down the line in a thin receiver room. The 23-year-old saw little action as a rookie but brings good size at 6'2", 195 pounds, along with solid athleticism and a strong final season at UCF. He totaled over 1,100 receiving yards and averaged 21.9 yards per reception, the second most in the country. There is still upside in the tank with Baker, and he could be a name to keep in mind if he gets an opportunity.