Khalil Shakir vs Tee Higgins: Who Should You Start?
Khalil Shakir and Tee Higgins are both viable fantasy wide receivers heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Khalil Shakir averaged 8.1 PPG across 16 games with the Buffalo Bills, while Tee Higgins posted 12.1 PPG in 15 appearances for the Cincinnati Bengals.
A 4.0-PPG gap gives Tee Higgins the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.
Both are workload receivers with similar target shares. Khalil Shakir turned 95 targets into 719 yards and 4 touchdowns, while Tee Higgins converted 98 looks into 846 yards and 11 scores. When target volume is this close, game script and defensive matchup typically decide the weekly winner.
One thing to note: both players share a Week 12 bye. That means you need a backup plan at wide receiver for that week, especially if one of these two is your starter.
