Khalil Shakir Scouting Report

BACKGROUND

NAME: Khalil Shakir

POSITION: Wide Receiver

SCHOOL: Boise State

HEIGHT: 5’ 11”

WEIGHT: 190 lbs

CLASS: Senior

HOMETOWN: Murrieta, California

HIGH SCHOOL: Vista Murrieta

Four-star recruit in the 2018 recruiting class out of Vista Murrieta High School. He was the 22nd ranked ATH and 44th ranked player in California in the 2018 recruiting class according to the 24/7 Sports composite rankings. Received offers from the likes of Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, Nevada, & UCLA, but ultimately committed to Boise State on his first official visit of the process. Played primarily as a slot receiver all four seasons as a Bronco, totaling 1,042 snaps from the slot versus 595 snaps out in the X or Y position. Suffered a knee injury that cut his freshman campaign short in 2018. Ranks 5th in receptions, 4th in receiving yards, and 6th in receiving touchdowns in Boise State program history.

GAMES WATCHED: New Mexico State (2019), Oklahoma State (2021), Colorado State (2021), Wyoming (2021)

TRAIT GRADES

Route Running – 55 (Above Average): Once he gets in space, he is dynamite. Always can find the soft spot in the defense. Wins the majority of routes with his footwork and speed. With his versatility and the way he was used in the offense, he was asked to run a lot of different route combinations. He has experience running a varied route tree from all three primary receiving spots and the backfield. I wish that he came out of routes a little cleaner and crisper. Also lacks some creativity in coming off the line of scrimmage, often reuses the same combination to break free from the defender.

Ability to Create Separation – 60 (Above Average): Always finds himself open in the middle of the field, dissecting the soft zones of the opposing coverage. Doesn’t create separation with great, crisp routes or clean cuts. Relies mostly on generating his speed to break free from defenders and win in space, as opposed to off the line of scrimmage.

Overall Ball Skills – 55 (Above Average): Shakir has excellent tracking ability of the football, always finds a way to find the ball. Makes the necessary adjustments to try and make a play for the reception. Does let the ball come to his body a little too often, would love to see him go get the ball a little more instead of letting it come into his chest.

Long Speed/Downfield Ability – 55 (Above Average): Straight line speed is not the best here. Shakir is definitely not a burner, but when he gets in space, he can use his lateral agility exceptionally well to make guys miss and beat them in space. Can still win matchups 1v1 downfield too, just won’t blow anyone away with his speed.

Run After Catch – 70 (Star): Super dynamic playmaker in space. Great at finding holes and making guys miss in the open field. Super dangerous threat in the screen game because of his awareness and ability to find the creases and holes within the opposition. If you let him in the open, he’s always a threat.

Catch Radius – 50 (Average): Has a smaller and slighter frame that hinders his ability to be able to make contested catches at a consistent rate. He has shown the ability to track the ball very well with his eyes, but lacks the height and strength to go up and make the jump-ball plays consistently.

Positional Usage/Versatility – 70 (Star): Shakir has lined up all over the field offensively during his time at Boise State and has produced from all those spots. He projects as a primary slot receiver in the NFL, but has shown ability to return kicks or play at a high level on the outside or out of the backfield. Teams will be all over his electric and dynamic play making ability from all those various positions. With the right offensive coaching staff to use his versatility to their advantage, he will become a serious threat in the NFL.

Release – 50 (Average): Lacks some creativity off of the LOS to get free from the defender. Will get jammed at the line on occasion due to his more slender frame. Also takes Shakir a few strides to get up to top speed. Initial burst isn’t there, so he won’t always break free away from the corners as quickly as you’d like.

Size/Frame – 50 (Average): Ideal height for a twitchy slot receiver, but that does not come without limitations. Lack of height and strength make it hard to win in contested catch situations. Although as a projected primary slot receiver that doesn’t hinder Shakir’s ability a ton, not having it in his arsenal hurts his grade here a little. Lack of strength also limits his ability to help out in the run game if needed.

Run Blocking – 30 (Poor): Wasn’t asked to do this a ton, when he did, he clearly lacked the strength and size to be able to do it consistently. Won’t be utilized here often in the NFL, if at all.

Ceiling- 50/80

Red Flag Concern- 10/10: Had a knee injury that ended his freshman season, has not seemed to hinder or bother him since. Zero off-field concerns.

RAS Score: Incomplete

Tape Grade W/O RAS: 6.17

Tape Grade W/RAS: Incomplete

Round Grade: 5th

Summary: Shakir was the Broncos’ most reliable and electric offensive weapon over the last few years, leading them in all major receiving statistical categories. He isn’t the cleanest prospect, as there are some limitations in his game, but it is hard to deny his production over his career. He will be a mid round pick in this draft class due to his soft hands, and his incredibly versatility across the entire offense. Given the right coaching staff to maximize his ability to get the ball in space and line up in multiple areas, Shakir could be a difference maker for a team in the NFL.