Bills' Khalil Shakir Led Rookie WRs in Game-Changing Stat This Past Season
Buffalo Bills receiver Khalil Shakir flashed in spurts during his rookie year this past season, especially late in the campaign.
Including postseason, Shakir totaled 15 catches for 252 yards and one touchdown. The low production is understandable, as he was growing into own as a fifth-round pick.
But while the basic stat totals show a rookie making a solid impact with minimal action, other advanced stats detail a rookie that was one of the best among his position this past season when it came to arguably the biggest key for pass-catchers: creating separation.
Pro Football Focus revealed the rate at which some of the top rookie pass-catchers were able to get open vs. man coverage this past season. Leading the pack with a 48.57 percent separation rate was Shakir, as he topped guys like Offensive Rookie of the Year and New York Jets receiver Garrett Wilson and other big names like New Orleans Saints' Chris Olave and Green Bay Packers' Christian Watson.
Of course, the major outlier for Shakir in this statistical view is the fact that he only drew 70 snap against single-man coverage, the fewest of anyone on the viewable part of the list. This obviously boosts his open percentage to new heights compared to the competition, but this is understandable since he didn't receive as many reps as guys like Watson, Olave, Wilson, Drake London and Treylon Burks, who all emerged as No. 1 weapons (when healthy) in the their respective receiving rooms this past season.
Shakir has clearly proven he can achieve a successful win rate. There's no reason to believe this won't continue when given some added reps, though the percentage will obviously drop.
Shakir also already has the stamp of approval from Bills quarterback Josh Allen. If he keeps getting open in man coverage, no reason Allen shouldn't find him while building stronger chemistry in the process.
“I know he’s a rookie, but we’ve got a lot of faith in him," Allen said of Shakir after the AFC Wild Card win over the Miami Dolphins.
You can follow Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7
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