The Buffalo Bills WR room has gotten considerably deeper this off-season. Something that has been overshadowed by the selection of TE Dalton Kincaid in April’s draft. But, with how great Kincaid will be for the Bills, the talent at WR shouldn’t be overlooked. (Stefon Diggs, Gabe Davis, Khalil Shakir, and newcomers Deonte Harty, Trent Sherfield, and Justin Shorter among others.) Now, with added depth, more talent, and a better all-around offense surrounding Josh Allen, the Bills offense should get much much better this year. Let’s look at some receiver battles to watch at training camp:
Starting slot WR: Deonte Harty vs. Khalil Shakir
Deonte Harty comes to the Bills with 40 career games played, and four starts. In those games, he totaled 63 receptions, 793 yards, and four TDs. His best season was in 2021, where he racked up 570 yards and three TDs in 13 games. Harty does a lot of his work in the return game; he retured 29 kickoffs for 690 yards in 2021. Harty only played in four games in 2022 due to a toe injury. Now, with a real shot at the slot position, he looks to have a rejuvenated season with Josh Allen and company.
Shakir was a fifth round pick in 2022. While the Bills tried to make Isaiah McKenzie work in the slot, Shakir had a good season with the limited reps he played. He had 10 receptions for 161 yards and one TD, along with five receptions for 91 yards in the postseason. According to The Buffalo News, Shakir had a very good spring practice, and is making his case to be the third WR behind Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis.
Winner: Khalil Shakir; Deonte Harty plays mainly on special teams.
Practice Squad: Marcell Ateman vs. Tyrell Shavers
This should be an interesting battle. Ateman came to Buffalo during spring practices, and Shavers was a college standout that the Bills picked up as a UDFA.
Ateman, the former Oakland Raiders seventh round pick, was a big target for the XFL’s St. Louis Battlehawks this past Spring, racking up 19 receptions and 259 yards in only seven games. He missed time with a hamstring injury, which probably kept his production down. The Buffalo Bills can utilize his size and physicality with a lot of their WR room being on the shorter side.
Tyrell Shavers (6’4”, 211 lbs) had some offensive production in college, but really made a name for himself on special teams. He recorded 643 yards and three TDs on offense at San Diego State. On special teams, he had three blocked punts and returned three blocked punts for TDs. Shavers utilizes his size well that side of the ball, and it contributed to his team’s success over the years. Shavers wouldn’t likely contribute too much on offense if he makes the team. He would ultimately a special teamer. The Bills need all the help they can get after letting ST stalwarts Taiwan Jones and Jake Kumerow walk.
With the Bills’ top six WRs likely already penciled in, the only path for Shavers/Ateman to crack this team is through the practice squad. Both are very talented in their own way, however Shavers probably has the edge over Ateman due to his special teams ability.
Winner: Tyrell Shavers
Featured Image: Mark Konezny/USA TODAY Sports
