Fantasy Football Player Notes

Shakir's Week 1 numbers look eerily similar to his stats when he assumed a full-time role last year. Shakir was third on the team with a 70% route per dropback rate while running from the slot on 81% of his snaps. Shakir has always been dynamic when on the field, but he has yet to prove that he can be a heavy target share earner, and that was true again in Week 1. Shakir had a 13% target share as he ran underneath routes (3.3 aDOT). Shakir managed 2.0 YPRR and 0.095 FD/RR, but he only commanded a 12.5% first-read share. Shakir has another plus matchup this week against a Miami pass defense that allowed the seventh-highest PPR points per target and the sixth-most receptions to slot receivers last year. Shakir will match up with Kader Kohou (2023: 83.5% catch rate and 132.9 passer rating) all day.

Coleman led Buffalo with an 86% route per dropback rate while drawing a 21.4% target share, a 28.1% air-yard share, and a whopping 31.13% first-read share. Coleman's 1.96 YPRR was more impressive in Week 1 than his 0.077 FD/RR. The full-time status for Coleman was a nice sign as he drew one of only two end zone targets for Week 1. It's nice to see Josh Allen lean on the rookie so early. Coleman won't have an easy time this week as he runs all of his routes against Kendall Fuller (67.1% catch rate and 101.9 passer rating) and Jalen Ramsey (54.8% catch rate and 52.9 passer rating). Coleman should still see enough volume and high-leverage usage to turn in a flex-viable game.

Samuel isn't startable until we see his usage trickle up. This is likely related to his turf toe. Samuel only had a 30% route per dropback rate in Week 1, as he ran nine routes. That's not nearly enough playing time to be fantasy-viable. Don't drop him from your rosters, but he's firmly parked on the bench until the snap count improves.