More so than perhaps any other position, the Buffalo Bills wide receiver group has captured the attention and intrigue of fans throughout the offseason.

Gone are the likes of All-Pro Stefon Diggs and fellow 2023 captain Gabriel Davis (and 240 targets last season), as the Bills completely revamped their receiver room this spring. Who steps up in their absence is perhaps the most consequential question surrounding the club heading into training camp in 2024, and a primary reason some observers believe the Bills could be in store for a bit of a downturn this year. 

Let’s start with the only player among the group who has caught a pass in a game from Josh Allen: Khalil Shakir. Heading into his third season in the NFL, Shakir could be a prime candidate for a breakout given an increased role in the offense and the way he ascended last season.

In 2023, Shakir had 39 catches for 611 receptions and 2 touchdowns. Hardly superstar numbers. Yet, if you look a little deeper, you’ll find he became one of Josh Allen’s most reliable targets as the season evolved. Shakir was targeted 45 times, and he hauled in 39 of them. That’s a fantastic catch rate. Once he took over as the primary slot receiver, Shakir had a knack for making big plays at big times. He has sold run-after-catch (RAC) ability, a point of emphasis for the Bills for it seems like forever now. A 5th round draft pick out of Boise State, Shakir could be in line to greatly add to his numbers. It’s not unreasonable to think he could be Allen’s favorite weapon among the receivers. I won’t go as far as saying he’s a superstar in the making, but I do expect him to near 1,000 yards.

The eyes of many fans at St. John Fisher University will be on the first No. 0 in Bills’ history: 2nd round draft pick Keon Coleman. A former college basketball player, Coleman has the ability to win in contested catch situations and use his 6’4” frame to box out opposing defenders and out-jump them to bring in the football. The knock on him coming out of Florida St. was his lack of top end speed and separation ability, but the Bills think that was a little overblown. General Manager Brandon Beane said they thought he played faster than what he showed in the 40-yard dash leading up to the draft. Beane and company like his ability to play the outside “X” receiver position, as well as win inside in the slot. They’ll expect him to have a major role in the offense right away.  When you spend a second round pick on a player, that adds extra pressure to see them succeed.  How quickly Coleman can adjust to the NFL game, build a rapport with Josh Allen, and prove he’s more than just a big body will be critical to the Bills offensive outlook for years to come. At least early in his career, I can see him being an important red zone target for Allen, with plenty of room for growth to be a solid starter. Will he become a star and a No. 1 receiver? It’s possible, and the Bills certainly hope so.

The most intriguing addition to the receiver room, to this observer, was Curtis Samuel. A former college running back at Ohio State, Samuel has been solid, yet unspectacular, during his seven seasons in the NFL. While he’s never cracked 1,000 yards in his career, he’s never had a quarterback like Josh Allen throwing him the football. Samuel’s best season came in 2020 as a member of the Carolina Panthers when he reached up 77 receptions for 851 yards. His offensive coordinator that season? None other than current Bills play caller Joe Brady. Samuel has downfield speed, ability to win with quickness and RAC potential. If Brady can unlock Samuel, he could be another candidate to lead the Bills in catches this season and be a major playmaker. Expect Brady to use him in a variety of ways in the offense, from lining him up in the backfield, using him on jet sweeps and reverses, to expecting him to make an impact on the outside.

The Bills added a host of tall pass catchers this offseason, perhaps a shift in the type of player they want to employ at the receiver position. Mack Hollins has been a special teams standout and captain throughout his NFL career, and occasionally shown flashes offensively. The 30-year-old’s best season came in 2022 with Las Vegas when he had 57 catches for 690 yards and 4 touchdowns. Last season in Atlanta, he managed only 18 catches for 251 yards. Don’t discount his leadership, blocking ability and role on special teams. I’d consider him a lock for the roster.

Marquez Valdes-Scantling brings downfield speed and a championship resume to Buffalo. He joined the Bills after winning Super Bowls with Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs the past two years. His numbers won’t wow you. His best year was probably in 2020 with Green Bay (33 rec, 690 yds, 6 TD). Over his career, he’s only caught around 50% of the passes thrown his way. He’s mostly been used on deep routes, which of course adds to the degree of difficulty. Still, he’s made big plays in playoff games and represents an element the Bills need in their offense. 

Chase Claypool is a wild card among this receiver group. The 26-year-old burst onto the scene as a rookie with Pittsburgh in 2020 when he had 62 grabs for 873 yards and 9 touchdowns. But it’s been mostly downhill since then as he’s bounced from the Steelers, to the Bears, to the Dolphins. For some reason, his immense physical traits have not correlated to consistency in the NFL, and he’s done next to nothing offensively the past two years, relegated to special teams duty in Miami last season after a trade from Chicago. Claypool seems to say the right things, admitting he’s not where he should be in his career, but eager to rebuild his image. If the Bills are to uncover what once was a promising future, they could have an unlikely standout in their midst.

KJ Hamler is another underachieving player the Bills are taking a chance on this year. A former 2nd round pick of the Broncos, injuries have truly derailed his career. Hamler is small, but fast, and could have a role in the return game.

Other players to keep an eye on include Justin Shorter, a big-bodied receiver who the Bills drafted in 2023 and kept on injured reserve all season. Andy Isabella and Tyrell Shavers will also compete for final roster spots or the practice squad.

It’s an unproven crew of wide receivers, meaning it could be up to Allen to prove he’s the kind of quarterback who can elevate this group that does not appear to have the star power once featured when Diggs was in town.