Falcon Report

Promising Pro Day: Which WR Impressed Falcons After Dazzling Display?

Boise State's Khalil Shakir may have leaped into the Falcons wide receiver conversation.

Jeremy Brener

It's no secret that the Atlanta Falcons need help at wide receiver.

After having Calvin Ridley suspended for the 2022 season and Russell Gage head over to the division rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers - who recently underwent a coaching change - it's an almost-certainty that the Falcons will look to take at least one receiver in April's NFL Draft.

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Stephen R. Sylvanie/USA Today Sports

Khalil Shakir

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Stephen R. Sylvanie/USA Today Sports

Khalil Shakir

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Stephen R. Sylvanie/USA Today Sports

Khalil Shakir

While the Falcons are in play for all the top receivers with their No. 8 overall pick, there is a chance the team looks on Day 2 for even more pass catchers.

It's a good thing that this is a draft the Falcons need a receiver, because the receiver class in 2022 is historically deep.

And one wide receiver in particular is jumping his way up the board. Literally.

Boise State wide receiver Khalil Shakir is expected to be a mid-round pick in the draft. In a weaker class, he could have been seen as a first- or second-rounder.

However, at Boise State's Pro Day Wednesday, Shakir made his mark with an impressive vertical leap, jumping 38.5 inches.

The most remarkable part of the stat is the four-inch improvement he had compared to his NFL Scouting Combine results. In a little under a month, Shakir was able to go from a 34.5-inch vertical jump to 38.5.

It's clear Shakir put in the work and time to improve that part of his game. At 6-0, Shakir isn't going to be the tallest receiver on the field, but when you're not a top pick, a strong work ethic can lead to an extremely fruitful career.

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Marcus Mariota

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Marcus Mariota

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Marcus Mariota

Shakir, 22, caught 77 passes for 1117 yards and seven touchdowns in his senior season, all career-bests.

If Shakir can find a way to translate that work ethic and improvement onto the NFL level, he will make for a solid NFL player.

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.

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