The Buffalo Bills and wide receiver Khalil Shakir have agreed to a four-year, $60 million contract extension, keeping him with the team through the 2029 season. The 25-year-old California native earned the deal after stepping up as Buffalo’s top receiving option.
With Shakir, 2024 second-round pick Keon Coleman, and tight end Dalton Kincaid forming the core of the team’s receiving group, the Bills have a solid foundation moving forward. However, all three players primarily excel on short and intermediate routes, leaving a need for more variety in the passing attack.
As a result, general manager Brandon Beane is expected to pursue another wide receiver through free agency, the draft, or possibly a trade. Addressing this position remains one of Buffalo’s biggest priorities ahead of the 2025 season.
Buffalo Bills Wide Receiver Offseason Priorities
Step 1: Re-Sign Mack Hollins
Signed last offseason as a blocking replacement for Gabe Davis, Hollins quickly became a key contributor in the passing game. He finished the season with 31 receptions for 378 yards and a team-leading five touchdown catches.
Beyond his on-field production, Hollins also played a vital role in the locker room, providing a steadying presence that had been missing since Cole Beasley’s departure. His leadership and personality were invaluable for a team with high expectations.
With Hollins set to hit free agency, Buffalo should prioritize bringing him back on a short-term deal (one or two years). His return would maintain continuity, come at an affordable price, and prevent another roster hole from opening. Given the Bills’ tight cap situation, retaining productive, low-cost players like Hollins is essential.
Step 2: Add Speed via Free Agency or the Draft
Free-Agent Target: Tutu Atwell
A second-round pick by the Los Angeles Rams in 2021, Atwell never fully developed into a reliable offensive weapon. While he saw increased involvement in recent seasons, he finished the past three years with 99 catches for 1,343 yards and four touchdowns—none of which came in 2024.
Despite his inconsistent production, Atwell’s elite speed (4.4-second 40-yard dash) could provide the deep threat Buffalo has lacked. Defenses have been able to crowd the middle of the field against the Bills, limiting their effectiveness. Even a handful of deep shots per game to Atwell could help stretch defenses and open up opportunities for other receivers.
Draft Target: Matthew Golden
After transferring from Houston to Texas for his final college season, Golden thrived in the Longhorns’ high-powered offense, recording 58 catches for 987 yards (17 yards per reception) and nine touchdowns. His ability to stretch the field, combined with an affordable rookie contract, makes him an appealing target for Buffalo.
However, drafting Golden would likely require a first-round pick, and the Bills may need to trade up to secure him. That presents a dilemma, as Beane could instead use the pick in a trade for a top-tier edge rusher, such as Cleveland’s Myles Garrett or Las Vegas’ Maxx Crosby.
If the Bills have to choose between acquiring a premier defensive lineman or drafting Golden, the impact of adding a dominant pass rusher would likely be greater. But if they keep their first-round pick, selecting the Texas wideout would be a smart move.
Leave a Reply