Could Keon Coleman be a top WR? Why Bills rookie could set league ablaze with Josh Allen

Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills are perennial contenders in the AFC Conference, though they're yet to reach the Super Bowl in the Sean McDermott era. The Bills have been close several times, but the Kansas City Chiefs are their kryptonite on the biggest stages.

Ahead of the 2024 NFL season, Bradley Locker of PFF wrote an analysis of "breakout candidates for all 16 AFC teams", and Khalil Shakir was listed as the breakout candidate for the Bills.

Locker wrote:

"The Bills' receiving corps will look drastically different in 2024, and with no clear WR1, Shakir could become Josh Allen’s top wideout option. Shakir had a strong Year 2, producing a 76.9 receiving grade and a 2% drop rate.

"Further, Shakir saw jumps in both yards after the catch per reception and yards per route run. The former fifth-round pick should only develop further in his third campaign."

What can fans expect from Khalil Shakir in 2024?

Khalil Shakir enters his third year in the NFL as arguably Josh Allen's most reliable pass-catching weapon. The Boise State product has been with the Bills since 2022 and has improved his stats every year since he entered the NFL.

Shakir went from having 161 receiving yards and one touchdown in 14 games in 2022 to amassing 611 receiving yards and two touchdowns in 17 games in 2023. Furthermore, due to perennial Pro Bowler Stefon Diggs' departure, he's now the de facto WR1 heading into the upcoming NFL season.

Khalil Shakir avoided the dreaded sophomore slump in year two, and he should experience a jump in targets as he enters his third year with the Bills. His low drop rate would be a significant asset in his battle with Keon Coleman, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Chase Claypool and Curtis Samuel for the WR1 spot.

What can we expect from Josh Allen and the Bills in 2024?

Josh Allen and the Bills enter the 2024 NFL season with expectations similar to those of the last few seasons. The goal is to reach the Super Bowl and potentially hoist the Vince Lombardi Trophy.

The Bills are one of the NFL's premier "what if" franchises and are still chasing the first Super Bowl appearance of the Sean McDermott and Josh Allen era. It might be a little more tedious with Diggs' departure to the Houston Texans, but their front office will be hoping that Khalil Shakir and Co. can step up in his place.

The journey for the Bills starts versus the Arizona Cardinals in Week 1 and ends with a game versus the New England Patriots in Week 18.

How do you think Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills will fare next season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.