Ja'Marr Chase vs Khalil Shakir: Who Should You Start?
Ja'Marr Chase and Khalil Shakir are at different tiers heading into 2026. The Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver averaged 15.7 PPG in 2025, a full 7.6 points per game ahead of Khalil Shakir's 8.1 with the Buffalo Bills. That kind of gap doesn't close on matchup alone.
That 7.6-point weekly advantage for Ja'Marr Chase is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.
Target volume is the story here. Ja'Marr Chase saw 185 targets in 2025, while Khalil Shakir drew 95. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for Ja'Marr Chase, even in weeks where Khalil Shakir posts the bigger ceiling game. Consistency-minded managers lean toward target share; boom-bust managers chase the upside.
Both share a Week 12 bye, which matters for roster construction. If you are stacking wide receivers this deep on your bench, plan your replacement wide receiver early.
