Khalil Shakir Fantasy Football Start or Sit Advice for Week 2

Khalil Shakir Start or Sit Advice for Week 2

In the Bills’ 36-31 win over the Texans last Sunday, Khalil Shakir ($6,400 for Showdown) was relatively quiet despite the shootout, posting 9.0 FPTS. The veteran caught 4-of-6 targets for 50 yards while seeing a target on 25% of his routes, including three red-zone targets.

Shakir ran a route on 63% of his team’s dropbacks and 50% of his routes came from the slot, which is on brand with his role from last season. Shakir averaged a solid 2.5 YPPR, but his aDOT was a low 3.8, which is also right in line with his 3.9 aDOT from last season.

Shakir finished as the No. 35 scoring receiver for fantasy football last season with 10.4 FPTS per game and he appears to be locked into that same role as the Bills’ primary slot receiver, despite D.J. Moore ($7,800) joining this offense.

That being said, Moore’s presence is likely going to hurt Shakir’s target share in the long run and it’s unlikely the wideout earns a target on 25% of his routes on a weekly basis. Even though it was his debut with Buffalo, Moore garnered a target on 27% of his routes last week. Per usual, Shakir’s low aDOT is also a concern.

In his 18 games between the regular season and playoffs last season, Shakir scored 14+ FPTS six times, but he also scored single-digits seven times. Don’t get me wrong, Shakir is part of an elite offense with arguably the best quarterback in the league in Josh Allen ($11,400) under center, but with Moore in town, Shakir’s upside feels lower than usual.

However, for Week 2, Shakir is going against a Lions defense this Thursday that gave up 30 points to the Saints last week. This matchup carries the highest total of the season thus far at 54.5 points on DraftKings Sportsbook and this contest has shootout written all over it.

Shakir only scored 9.0 FPTS last week in a game that generated 67 points, but this was against a tough Texans defense and facing the Lions’ secondary is a much easier test. Last season, Houston gave up the second-fewest YPA (5.7) while Detroit allowed the 12th-most (6.7).

While Shakir isn’t the most exciting play and you likely have a better option on your bench, the receiver should reach double-digit FPTS in this spot and he is a viable WR3 for season-long leagues.

Start or Sit: Start Khalil Shakir