The Athletic's Joe Buscaglia believes WR Khalil Shakir is currently fifth on the Bills' depth chart. He played fewer snaps with QB Josh Allen in the team's second preseason game than both WRs Trent Sherfield and Deonte Harty. Shakir is not worth a roster spot in redraft leagues at this point. We're tentatively expecting the Bills' primary 3-WR set to open the season to be Stefon Diggs and Gabriel Davis out wide, with Harty in the slot.
Bills WR Trent Sherfield has been working in with the first-team offense throughout training camp, along with WRs Khalil Shakir and Deonte Harty, according to The Athletic's Joe Buscaglia. Those three are battling for the No. 3 WR job, behind Stefon Diggs and Gabriel Davis. And "among the three, Sherfield has had the strongest training camp," Buscaglia writes. Preseason performance might ultimately decide who opens the season as Buffalo's No 3. We'll keep a close eye on the situation.
Bills QB Josh Allen said WR Deonte Harty could have a “potentially bigger role” following Nyheim Hines’ ACL tear. The Bills had “semi-high hopes” for Hines on offense, per The Athletic's Joe Buscaglia. Now, the door opens for Harty, only 5’6, 170 pounds, to see additional short-range targets. He’s a name to monitor in deep PPR leagues.
Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic isn’t confident a full-time WR3 will emerge in Buffalo. WRs Khalil Shakir, Deonte Harty, and Trent Sherfield — plus TE Dalton Kincaid — are competing for snaps. “Don’t be surprised if this battle continues into the regular season and the team uses a hot-hand approach with all of them,” Buscaglia concludes. A Round 1 pick, Kincaid brings the most intrigue. The issue? Fantasy drafters are treating him as a fringe starter with a TE13 ADP (FFPC). Shakir made a few big plays last year, then watched the Bills sink $5.2 million guaranteed into Harty. Even Sherfield generated some buzz in OTAs. We’re ultimately talking about deep league fliers, although training camp could push one name into your best ball strategy.
Bills WR Khalil Shakir has had a strong offseason so far and "is going to push hard for prime snaps in the Bills’ three-receiver set," The Buffalo News' Mark Gaughan writes. Shakir played limited snaps as a rookie last year but flashed with 16.1 yards per catch on his 10 grabs. With Isaiah McKenzie gone, we consider Shakir the favorite for the No. 3 WR job heading into training camp, with Deonte Harty providing the primary competition.
The Bills released WR Isaiah McKenzie, saving $2.7 million in cap space. McKenzie popped for a few big games in Buffalo over the past couple of seasons but never became a consistent fantasy option. The Bills believe they've found an upgrade in WR Deonte Harty. We'll see where McKenzie lands, but he's not worth a pick in early best-ball drafts.
Bills GM Brandon Beane said that the team envisions WR Deonte Harty filling the “four role." Harty got a surprisingly lucrative two-year, $9.5 million deal from Buffalo, but it doesn't sound like he's slated for an every-down job on offense. (Not surprising considering he's just 5'6 and 170 lbs.) With WR Isaiah McKenzie likely on the outs, Stefon Diggs, Gabriel Davis, and Khalil Shakir currently project as the Bills' top three WRs. We'll see if they add another WR in the draft.
The Bills are expected to sign WR Deonte Harty to a two-year deal, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The contract will reportedly include $9.5 million total, with $5 million of that fully guaranteed. Incentives could push it to a $13.5 million max value. Those numbers don't guarantee a significant offensive role for Harty, who has done his best work as a return man. Harty collected 64 total receptions and 15 rushing attempts across four years with the Saints, compared with 152 total returns. He figures to push RB Nyheim Hines out of the primary return role. We'll see if Buffalo plans to let Harty compete with Isaiah McKenzie and Khalil Shakir for more on offense. If it does, Harty's speed would make him an intriguing late-round flier. You can consider him near the end of best ball drafts now for that reason.
Saints WR Jarvis Landry (ankle) is inactive for today’s game vs. the Seahawks. With WR Michael Thomas also out, New Orleans is down to WRs Chris Olave, Marquez Callaway, Tre’Quan Smith and Deonte Harty.
The Saints are placing a 2nd-round restricted free-agent tender on WR/KR Deonte Harty, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. The former Deonte Harris legally changed his last name to Harty in December in honor of his stepfather. Pelissero says Harty could still draw some interest on the market, though we'd be surprised to see another team surrender a 2nd-round pick just to sign the 24-year-old. Last season marked the 1st time that Harty has collected more targets than returns. His 59 looks ranked 3rd among Saints last year, despite Harty losing 3 games to a suspension.
The league suspension has been upheld on Saints WR Deonte Harris' DUI, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. That means Harris is now suspended for the next 3 games. Kenny Stills, Lil-Jordan Humphrey and Ty Montgomery are candidates for extra playing time while Harris is out.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the new ankle injury for Saints WR Michael Thomas will keep him out for the rest of the season. New Orleans reportedly tried to trade for receiving help before Tuesday's deadline but couldn't get anything done. That leaves Marquez Callaway, Tre'Quan Smith and Deonte Harris as the top WRs for QB Taysom Hill going forward. Expect New Orleans to also lean heavily on Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram -- both in the run game and as pass-catchers (well, Kamara, at least, on that front).
Saints WR Deonte Harris (hamstring) is out for Monday night's game vs. the Seahawks. Harris ranks 2nd among New Orleans WRs in both snaps and targets this season. His absence leaves the Saints with WRs Marquez Callaway, Kenny Stills, Lil'Jordan Humphrey and Ty Montgomery. We'll see if WR Tre'Quan Smith is activated from IR for Monday night.
Saints WR Deonte Harris is questionable to return to Sunday's game vs. Washington with a hamstring injury. We'll update his status when we know more.
Per beat writer Nick Underhill, Saints WR Tre’Quan Smith has been out of practice since Tuesday with an apparent leg injury. HC Sean Payton downplayed the injury, but Smith’s absence is a missed opportunity with Michael Thomas sidelined. In his absence, more reps have gone to guys like Deonte Harris, Marquez Callaway and Lil’Jordan Humphrey. Harris is likely to miss the first 2 games following a July DUI.
Insider Nick Underhill reports that Saints WR Deonte Harris was arrested earlier this month and charged with DUI. Underhill notes that these situations usually result in a 2-game suspension. Harris caught just 20 balls last year but became more important in New Orleans after the Michael Thomas news. He remains off the redraft radar, especially with the impending suspension.
Search
