The Buffalo Bills are heading into the AFC Divisional Round with the reigning NFL MVP at quarterback - and, for once, the path to the Super Bowl doesn’t include having to go through Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, or Joe Burrow. On paper, this is the cleanest lane Josh Allen has ever had to the big game.
But the reality? It’s a little more complicated.
Buffalo’s wide receiver room has been thin all season, and now, with injuries piling up, Allen is working with a patchwork group of pass-catchers. The Bills made a bold move when they dealt Stefon Diggs in 2024, betting that Joe Brady’s offense could thrive without a true WR1.
The idea was to lean on the run game, spread the ball around, and let Allen’s playmaking do the heavy lifting. That philosophy is about to get its biggest test yet.
Let’s break down Allen’s current receiving options - ranked from most to least impactful - as the Bills try to string together three more wins and punch a ticket to the Super Bowl.
1. Khalil Shakir
Shakir has been the de facto WR1 since the Diggs trade, and while his numbers don’t scream "top target," they reflect the Bills’ system more than his talent. After putting up 821 yards in 2024, he followed it with 719 yards and four touchdowns this season.
His yards per catch dipped to a career-low 10.0, but his catch rate stayed steady, and he’s evolved from a vertical threat into a more versatile option.
He’s not dominating games, but he’s reliable - and in this offense, that matters. Shakir has become Allen’s go-to in key moments, especially when the run game is clicking and defenses are forced to pick their poison.
2. Dalton Kincaid
Kincaid bounced back in a big way this season after a quiet 2024. The second-year tight end posted 571 yards and five touchdowns in just 12 games, averaging a career-best 14.6 yards per catch.
He’s been one of Allen’s most efficient targets, hauling in 39 of 49 throws and flashing big-play potential with a pair of 100-yard games.
The concern? His production has dipped since coming back from a knee injury in December. If he’s not at full speed, that could limit how creative Buffalo can get with its two-tight end sets - a staple of Brady’s play-calling when the offense is humming.
3. Brandin Cooks
Cooks wasn’t even on the roster to start the season, spending most of the year with the Saints. But since joining Buffalo midseason, he’s become a sneaky-important piece of the puzzle.
After a quiet start - just one catch in his first four games - Cooks broke out with a 101-yard performance against the Eagles and followed it up with a solid 58-yard showing in the Wild Card win over Jacksonville.
He’s not the same burner he once was, but his route-running and veteran savvy have made him a steady target when the Bills need to move the chains. In a group full of question marks, Cooks is giving Allen a trustworthy option - even if it wasn’t part of the original plan.
4. Dawson Knox
Knox has taken a backseat in the passing game since Kincaid arrived in 2023, but this season he’s quietly stepped up when needed. With Kincaid missing time and the receiver group depleted, Knox chipped in 417 yards and four touchdowns.
He had multiple catches in nine games and was heavily involved in the Wild Card round, grabbing 13 receptions in the win over Jacksonville.
He’s not going to stretch the field, but Knox is Allen’s security blanket - especially in the red zone and on third downs. After seven years together, that chemistry still counts for something.
5. Keon Coleman
It’s been a tough year for Coleman, who looked like a breakout candidate after a 112-yard opener but ended up being a healthy scratch at times down the stretch. Still, with Gabe Davis and Tyrrell Shavers both sidelined with ACL injuries, Coleman is back in the mix - and Buffalo might need him to step up in a big way.
He had just one catch for 36 yards in the playoff opener, but the opportunity is there. Coleman has the physical tools to make plays on the outside. If he can re-establish trust with Allen, he could become a surprise contributor in the weeks ahead.
6. Curtis Samuel
Samuel is coming off injured reserve just in time for the Divisional Round, and while expectations are tempered, his return could give the offense a little more juice. He had only seven catches in six games this season, but in 2024 he was used as a gadget player with 31 receptions and some creative touches.
If he’s close to full speed, Joe Brady could use him to stretch defenses horizontally - jet sweeps, motion looks, quick screens. He’s not a volume guy, but he adds a layer of unpredictability that this offense could use right now.
7. Jackson Hawes
Hawes, a rookie tight end out of Georgia Tech, has seen more action than expected this year, starting eight games and totaling 187 yards and three touchdowns. He didn’t record a catch in the Wild Card round, but with Buffalo running low on healthy bodies, he’s another name to keep an eye on.
He’s not going to be a focal point, but in the red zone or on play-action looks, Hawes could sneak his way into a big moment or two if defenses forget about him.
Bottom line:
Josh Allen doesn’t have a superstar receiver to lean on, but he’s got a group of guys who each bring something different to the table.
The Bills are betting on balance, toughness, and their MVP quarterback’s ability to elevate everyone around him. It’s not the flashiest formula - but in January football, it just might be enough.