Bills receiver Khalil Shakir looks for extra yards after a catch. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters CoThe Buffalo Bills had a wide receiver problem last season. In short, they didnt have a player who profiles as a true alpha in the receiver room. Sure, they had some good players, but most football people viewed those players as good pieces, not true game-wreckers who can thrive regardless of the situation or defense they face.Is that underselling Buffalos top wideout for the last two seasons? Perhaps it is; however, just from a statistical standpoint, that top wideout wouldnt have been the top guy in nearly every other top-flight passing offense in the NFL. What he was asked to do in terms of his route tree also seemed to be a limiting factor. Was that a design flaw, or a product of having a rough supporting cast?In todays edition of 91 players in 91 days, we discuss the man who has been Buffalos top wideout over the last two seasons._____________________________________________________________________________Name:Khalil ShakirNumber:10Position:WRHeight/Weight:6 190 lbs.Age:26 (27 on 2/3/2027)Experience/Draft:5; selected by Buffalo in the fifth round (No. 148 overall) of the 2022 NFL DraftCollege:Boise StateAcquired:Fifth-round draft choiceFinancial situation (per Spotrac):This season marks the first year of Shakirs four-year, $52.866 million extension that he signed in February 2025. His cap hit for this season is $6.792 million. If Buffalo releases him, theyll carry a dead cap charge of $25.796 million.2025 Recap:Shakir once again slotted inliterally and figurativelyas Buffalos top wideout, and he once again led the team in nearly every receiving category. He played in one more game last season than he did in 2024 despite suffering a high ankle sprain in Buffalos Return of the Blue and Red scrimmage. In fact, Shakir missed no game time due to that sprain, as he returned to practice ahead of Buffalos Week One win over the Baltimore Ravens and played in that game. The only game he missed was the regular-season finale, and he sat alongside multiple other starters as Buffalo rested ahead of their Wild Card date with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Shakir led the team in targets (95), receptions (72), and receiving yards (719). Dalton Kincaid led the team with five receiving touchdowns, but Shakir was second with four. In the playoffs, Shakir was once again quarterback Josh Allens go-to guy, leading the team by a wide margin in targets (21), receptions (19), and receiving yards (157). Shakir also was used as a punt returner at multiple points throughout the season. In the regular season, Shakir returned 16 punts and averaged 7.8 yards per return. Both totals led the Bills. He did not return a punt in the postseason, but he was back there to do so a few times; he fair caught a punt in Buffalos 33-30 overtime loss to the Denver Broncos in the Divisional Round of the playoffs. Throughout the season, Shakir was used mainly at or near the line of scrimmage, as his average depth of target was the lowest among all wideouts who saw at least 50 targets last year. Shakir averaged just 3.8 yards per target.Positional outlook:Shakir is one of fourteen wideouts on the current roster. Mac Dalena, JaMori Maclin, Max Tomczak, Stephen Gosnell, Mecole Hardman Jr., Trent Sherfield, Joshua Palmer, Keon Coleman, Skyler Bell, DJ Moore, Tyrell Shavers, Quentin Skinner, and Dante Pettis are the others.2026 Offseason:Shakir is healthy, and hes already looking like he might have a different, more diverse role this season. Hes been used much more downfield in practices so far.2026 Season outlook:Maybe Im crazy, but I think that the addition of DJ Moore will actually help Shakirs production this season, not harm it. Sure, he might not see 100 targetsespecially if tight end Dalton Kincaid can actually stay healthybut Shakir will likely see more passes in downfield areas. Yes, hes excellent at handling screen passes and turning them into long gains, but hes also an adept route runner who has plenty of untapped downfield upside. In a more diverse role, he could come closer to his 2023 production where he averaged 16.8 yards per reception. Not coincidentally, that was the last season that the Bills had a true alpha in the receivier room in Stefon Diggs.Shakir is a phenomenal wideout, and if he fills the proper role, he could help any offense be better. Hes been miscast over the last two seasons as the top dog in Buffalos passing attack. Adding Moore will help him to improve, and if the Bills can also limit his use on punt returns by deploying someone they can trust to handle the gig, it will also help keep Shakir out of harms way with more unnecessary snaps. Again, Shakir is a good punt returner, and if he did it more consistently, I think he might even be able to be great at it. However, I dont think its a good use of resources for the Bills to have their WR2 exposing himself to more hits on special teams if they can avoid it.Look for Shakir to continue doing plenty of damage on short passes and screens this season, but dont be surprised when he sees more downfield targets, either. Hes a legitimate threat at all three levels of the defense, and Im excited to see his next level unlocked.