GregDortch

Oct 13

Buffalo started the season with Moore at one outside receiver spot, Keon Coleman and Palmer rotating at the other, and Khalil Shakir

playing in the slot in 11 personnel. Shakir has also rotated into 12 personnel, playing roughly one-third of those snaps. All four receivers have played in 13 personnel, and Buffalo's frequent use of that grouping means no receiver typically plays more than 70% of the offensive snaps. Moore has missed significant time in two of the first four games, with Coleman and Palmer simply taking on larger roles in those contests. The only other receiver to play an offensive snap this season has been returner Greg Dortch, who has logged 11 snaps. Fourth-round rookie Skyler Bell was a healthy inactive for each of the first four weeks. With Moore and Palmer sidelined, Bell was active for the first time, while Trent Sherfield was elevated from the practice squad. Shakir's role remained completely unchanged in this game. He played every snap in 11 personnel but only a fraction of the snaps in other personnel groupings. Coleman took over Moore's role, lining up at X more frequently than usual and rarely leaving the field in 11 or 12 personnel. Bell led a rotation with Sherfield at the other outside receiver spot. Despite the injuries at wide receiver, Buffalo didn't increase its use of multiple-tight end sets compared to previous weeks, even with all four tight ends healthy. Buffalo lost the time-of-possession battle and spent much of the game running the ball. When the Bills did pass, dump-offs to third-down running back Ty Johnson proved effective. Coleman scored a touchdown late in the third quarter, and Shakir had a 57-yard reception in overtime, but the receivers combined for just two other catches. This was a tough matchup for Buffalo's receivers, and the remaining schedule offers little relief. Moore remains the only Bills wide receiver worth considering.

Oct 5

The Bills have generally used a four-man wide receiver rotation this season. Moore and Keon Coleman have been the primary players in 12 personnel, seeing roughly two-thirds of snaps, while Khalil Shakir and Joshua Palmer have played the other third. All four have been on the field for at least 50% of snaps in 11 personnel this season, with Shakir seeing a 98.4% rate and the other three rotating in the final two spots. Moore missed some time in practice this week with a shoulder injury. Coleman (ankle) also didn't practice in full. This led to Buffalo continuing its rotation throughout the first half, with Shakir leading the wide receiver room in snaps despite mostly playing in 11 personnel. Moore left the game with 1:48 left in the second quarter, presumably due to the same shoulder that’s been hurting him. This left all three remaining wide receivers with more playing time in the second half. The Bills mostly stayed in 11 personnel with the game script, leading all three to play at least 21 of the 26 snaps. Greg Dortch was the only other active wide receiver, and he played one offensive snap in the second half. Coleman has shown some flashes this season, and he caught seven passes for 81 yards in this game. Five of his receptions gained at least five yards, and he gained 56 yards after the catch. He would be the waiver-wire target if Moore starts to miss some time. Even if Moore is back next week, Coleman is a fine speculative add.