As the Buffalo Bills play the blame game about who’s most responsible for drafting underwhelming 2024 second-round wideout Keon Coleman, they may keep tabs on Aiyuk’s interest in teaming up with 2024 league MVP Josh Allen.

In the past, general manager Brandon Beane has bristled at criticisms over his receiver depth chart, but after the Bills came up short in another mid-January playoff exit, he may be willing to take a big swing for a high-end pass-catcher.

This season, Khalil Shakir led the Bills across most receiving categories, hauling in 72 of 95 targets for 719 yards and four touchdowns. He’s a solid receiver who operates primarily out of the slot, but the 6-foot, 190-pounder doesn’t put fear in defenders in critical situations or in the red zone.

Four years into his career, Shakir hasn’t scored more than four touchdowns or racked up more than 821 receiving yards in a single season. Also, he’s averaged fewer than 11 yards per catch in consecutive terms.

Averaging 14.6 yards per reception, Aiyuk would be a significant upgrade over Shakir as a big-play receiver and pose more of a scoring threat. The 49ers’ soon-to-be ex-receiver has 25 career touchdown receptions. Shakir has 11. 

The Bills would need to free up cap space to make room for Aiyuk. That said, when healthy, the talented receiver has shown that he can be a go-to target for a passing attack that needs consistency and a spark.