Pro Football Focus names Buffalo Bills' biggest breakout candidate for the 2024 season

Pro Football Focus named each AFC team's biggest breakout candidate this week and their choice for the Buffalo Bills is a player that the franchise needs to step up in a big way in 2024. 

PFF went with wide receiver Khalil Shakir as Buffalo's biggest breakout candidate for this upcoming season. 

From PFF: 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.

With the Bills losing Stefon Diggs (trade) and Gabe Davis (free agency) this offseason, it leaves Buffalo with a talented, albeit unproven, group of wide receivers. 

Shakir, rookie Keon Coleman, and free agent addition Curtis Samuel appear to be the Bills' top three options at wide receiver. Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Chase Claypool are also options for Buffalo. 

Shakir, a former Boise State standout, took a big step forward last season after minimal production as a rookie in 2022. If Shakir can take another step forward in 2024, he could become a go-to option for quarterback Josh Allen. 

And really, for the Bills to get to where they want to go in 2024 -- which is obviously the Super Bowl -- they need Shakir to experience a breakout season. 

It wasn't that long ago that wide receivers weren't expected to truly break out until their third season in the NFL. Maybe that will be the case for Shakir in Buffalo this fall. PFF certainly thinks it's plausible.