Prospect Bio

Khalil Shakir was a four-star recruit out of Vista Murrieta High School in Murrieta, California. He received offers from UCLA, Nevada, Arizona, Arizona State, Washington State, and BYU, among others. He opted for Boise State where he caught 16 passes as a freshman for 170 yards and one touchdown before a knee sprain ended his season. As a sophomore, Shakir led the team with 63 receptions that he took for 872 yards and six touchdowns. He was also involved as a runner with 19 carries for 66 yards and three more touchdowns. Shakir received honorable mention All-Mountain West Conference honors. He bumped that up to first-team all-conference in 2020 after catching 52 passes for 719 yards and six touchdowns during the COVID-shortened seven game schedule. He received 17 rush attempts for 148 yards. Shakir had offseason surgery for a lower body injury but that didn’t stop him from reaching career highs in receptions (77), yards (1,117), and touchdowns (7) during the 2021 season. He added 130 yards on 21 rush attempts. 

Shakir departs Boise State fifth in team history in career receptions, fourth in receiving yards, and ninth in receiving touchdowns. 

College Stats

Khalil Shakir College Stats Courtesy of sports-reference

Positives

+40.8% (84th-percentile) College Dominator (PlayerProfiler.com)

+33.2% Target Share (PlayerProfiler.com)

+19.6 Breakout Age 

+Good route-runner

+Versatile; used on direct snaps, as a running back, on jets sweeps and in return game.

+Makes spectacular catches

+Run after catch

+Body control 

+Consistently wins vs press

+Lined up inside and outside 

+4.43 40-time; 73rd-percentile Speed Score (PlayerProfiler.com)

+7.4 best-season receptions per game 

+3.24 best-season yards per team pass attempt

+50% best-season receiving touchdown share 

+31 career kick/punt returns 

+71 career rush attempts

Negatives

-Slight frame

-Short arms

-Catch Radius

-10 drops in 2021

-21st-percentile Agility Score (PlayerProfiler.com)

-Not an early declare 

Highlight Reel

Comparable Player: Christian Kirk

NFL Draft Projection: Third Round

Yards Per-Formance Grade: 57.4

Bottom Line:

Khalil Shakir is one of the hidden gems in the 2022 draft class. He went to Boise State so he doesn’t get much attention, but he dominated the Broncos passing attack over the last two seasons. He has a knack for making spectacular catches while presenting a real threat in the open field. Shakir showed off his versatility by lining up outside and in the slot, taking over 70 carries throughout his career, and providing value as a returner. That will help him get on the field early on and carve out a role for himself as a versatile WR3.  He will likely play mostly in the slot given his slender frame and limited catch radius. Hopefully he will land in a spot with a creative play-caller who can take full advantage of Shakir’s wide range of abilities.

Post Draft Analysis:

Khalil Shakir to the Bills was one of the more exciting Day 3 picks. He’s a perfect fit in the Cole Beasley role in one of the league’s most pass-heavy offenses. He may have to wait out Jamison Crowder, but his time will come eventually. He’s a prime candidate for a late season breakout who will be a trade target in the 2023 offseason.

Resources: DLF, PlayerProfiler, PFN, PFF, TDN

Yards Per-Formance Prospect Grade