If you’re a wide receiver for the Buffalo Bills, you have to be feeling good about Thursday’s matchup against the Miami Dolphins. That’s because Bills quarterback Josh Allen has had some spectacular games in his career against his archrival. We won’t be suiting up for Buffalo in Week 2, but we do have a decision to make regarding our fantasy lineups.
Which Bills wide receiver should fantasy football managers consider starting more: Keon Coleman or Khalil Shakir?
Should You Start Keon Coleman or Khalil Shakir This Week?
In the Pro Football Network Start/Sit Optimizer, PFN’s consensus rankings say that Shakir is the player to start.
His projected 8.8 points include a projection of three receptions and 46 receiving yards. That slightly outperforms the consensus projection for Coleman (7.7 points, 3 receptions, 38 yards).
However, when isolating my rankings, I see Coleman outperforming Shakir. If Week 1 was any indication, he will be getting more attention from Allen in the passing game as the season goes on.
Keon Coleman Fantasy Outlook This Week
In his NFL debut, Coleman finished with five targets, four receptions, and 51 receiving yards, each of which led the team.
He also outplayed the more heralded rookie making his debut, Marvin Harrison Jr., who finished with just one reception for four yards.
Coleman, who ran 27 routes compared to Shakir’s 21, led all Bills receivers in offensive snaps, routes, and targets. It was a solid debut for Coleman, who averaged 13.5 yards per reception over his final two collegiate seasons.
The fact that Coleman was Allen’s favorite target in his first game must count for something. The other appealing angle for Coleman is the fact that he was on the field for 12 more offensive snaps than Shakir last week — 45 to 33.
In fact, among all Buffalo skill position players, only tight end Dalton Kincaid (52 snaps) was on the field for more offensive plays than Coleman.
Khalil Shakir Fantasy Outlook This Week
Although he was targeted only three times in Week 1, Shakir averaged 14 yards per reception, finishing with 42 receiving yards and a score. He was third among the Bills receivers in snaps, and second in routes and targets against the Arizona Cardinals.
While each had one red zone target, Shakir scored a touchdown.
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One stat worth considering for fantasy managers is yards after catch. In Week 1, 71.4% of Shakir’s receiving yards came after the catch, while only 21.6% of Coleman’s did — highlighting the differences in their profiles.
While this stat was one-sided in Shakir’s favor, it’s hard not to wonder if such a percentage is sustainable.