Khalil Shakir NFL Draft Overview
Position: Wide Receiver
Height: 6’-0”
Weight: 196 pounds
School: Boise State
Khalil Shakir 2022 NFL Draft Profile
When it comes to versatile and multi-purpose offensive players, wide receiver Khalil Shakir ranks near the top among NFL Draft prospects in containing those attributes. Throughout his college career at Boise State, Shakir was a multi-threat player who was utilized both in the passing game and in the rushing attack, something that could be attractive to teams at the professional level.
As a heavily recruited receiver coming into college, Shakir chose Boise State where he became an explosive dual-threat wideout for the Broncos. Shakir made an immediate impact at Boise State upon his arrival to college, expanding that to put together one of his best seasons a year ago in 2021. During his senior season with the Broncos, Shakir finished his final year with 1,117 yards on 77 catches, also bringing in seven touchdowns in 12 games. On the ground, Shakir added 21 rushes for 130 yards on the ground, also returning kicks for Boise State.
Strengths
- A high-character, high-energy player who has a competitive motor.
- A versatile wide receiver who could be used both in the passing game and on the ground with the running game.
- Has shown good footwork and strength while being able to separate himself from defenders to open windows in the passing game.
- Is a good route-runner in multiple slots and positions in the offense.
- Is a game-changer when he has the ball in his hands and is able to make a play out of nothing.
- Has shown the ability to be a deep threat but also is a dangerous player in the short-game with screen plays and underneath throws.
- Has a good burst with a smaller frame to maneuver through defenses.
- Can be an addition to the special teams unit and has returner abilities if needed.
Weaknesses
- Even with his explosiveness, has a short arm length and lacks skills as a vertical leaper.
- Lacks the physical traits that some NFL offenses might look more for.
- Oftentimes welcomes contact and physicality with defenders, even that physicality is warranted.
- Shows inconsistency with catching passes, oftentimes dropping catchable balls.
- Might not have the size or explosiveness to be a consistent receiver on the outside.
NFL Comparison: Nate Burleson
Teams With Need At Position: Atlanta Falcons, Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers, Indianapolis Colts, Los Angeles Chargers, New England Patriots.
Projection: Third round
Bottom Line on Khalil Shakir
For a team who is looking for a multi-purpose player who has a competitive nature and a strong desire to succeed, Shakir is one of the top prospects with those characteristics among wide receiver prospects in the NFL Draft. Shakir carries the versatility and explosiveness that many coaches and teams look for when drafting a player.
The only concern or question marks about Shakir come with his physical traits and just how his play in college would translate to the NFL game. Most teams are looking for a deep-ball, vertical threat on the outside of the field, two areas that Shakir somewhat lacks in. That could be a few reasons why the wide receiver remains a bit lower on the list of receiver prospects in this year’s draft.
Even though he isn’t a headlining wideout prospect going into the draft, Shakir could still bring a lot to a team at the professional level. If a team is looking for a dual-threat caliber player who could be used in multiple areas of an offense to feed into a creative play-calling offensive scheme, Shakir is a prime candidate to fill that role. He won’t be taken in the first round and doesn’t rank among the top of the rest of the wide receiver prospects, but Shakir could be a perfect second round or third round find for a team to take a chance on to see how his game translates to the NFL.
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