Sterling Shepard

Shepard played in only seven games last season, as he was hampered by a series of injuries, including a torn Achilles that ended his campaign in mid-December. The Giants are hopeful that the veteran will be ready to play by Week 1 of the coming season, and he still could have a significant role among a pass-catching corps that struggled mightily last year and didn't add any big names in the offseason. Still, Shepard has dealt with injuries in three straight campaigns and never has reached 900 receiving yards in any of his six seasons in the league, so expectations should be tempered.

Shepard missed four games early last season with a toe injury, but when healthy put up his usual modest numbers — 7.3 YPT, 66 catches and three touchdowns. At 5-10, 201, Shepard has average size, and his 4.48 40 speed is similarly middle of the road. He’s a good route runner, has reliable hands and will help quarterback Daniel Jones move the chains, but don’t expect downfield plays or much red-zone activity. Shepard is joined by former Lions wide receiver Kenny Golladay this year, though Golladay will run deeper routes and see more red-zone looks, while Shepard operates from the slot and underneath. Of course, the team just drafted a faster and more explosive player in Kadarius Toney for short routes, and Darius Slayton, Evan Engram and Saquon Barkley are still around too, so there are suddenly a lot of mouths to feed in this offense.

Shepard had his worst season as a pro in 2019, partly because it was marred by two concussions, putting him at greater risk. His per-play averages in 10 games were also disappointing, though - a career-low 10.1 YPC and 6.9 YPT. That said, the 40th overall pick in 2016 is slated to be a prominent part of the offense, sharing the slot with Golden Tate and lining up outside opposite Darius Slayton. At 5-10, 201, Shepard is stout, quick and has above-average speed (4.48 40), but he's not a big-play type (only six catches for 40-plus in his entire career and none last year). Two tailwinds for the entire Giants passing game are a risk-taking young quarterback who can buy time with his legs to throw downfield and a below-average defense that's likely to provide some beneficial game flow. Shepard's a competent and reliable player when healthy, so he should be involved, but the exact pecking order among Shepard, Tate and Slayton has yet to be established in Jason Garrett's offense.

Shepard's situation might have been better had the Giants not acquired his virtual clone. With Odell Beckham Jr. gone, it looked like Shepard might be the team's undisputed top target, but the Giants quickly signed Golden Tate to a four-year deal, locking him in as the co-No. 1, likely in the slot. Tate's addition should force Shepard to the outside, where he lined up on only 30 percent of his snaps in 2018. Much like the 5-10, 197-pound Tate, Shepard is 5-10, 201, and both have above-average speed (4.48 40 for Shepard). The 25-year-old averaged a modest 8.1 YPT last year and a similarly average 13.2 YPC. He did haul in three catches for 40-plus yards, but lacks the size or deep speed to be a regular field stretcher. Shepard saw a fair amount of red-zone work - 19 targets from inside the 20 and eight inside the 10 - four of which he converted for scores. The Giants are high on Shepard - they gave him a four-year, $41 million contract extension, similar to what they paid Tate. The issues are weak quarterback play from Eli Manning and a crowded receiving corps in the short areas of the field - besides Tate and Shepard, both tight end Evan Engram and running back Saquon Barkley figure to be looking at a lot of targets in similar places. Look for Shepard to run more intermediate routes and possibly increase his efficiency, assuming Manning can still make those throws.

The Giants lost their top three wideouts, Shepard, Brandon Marshall and Odell Beckham, in Week 5 last year, and Shepard was the only one who made it back - before missing Weeks 11 and 12 with migraines. Even so, Shepard managed three 130-yard games in 11 contests, averaging a respectable 8.7 YPT despite playing in one of league's worst passing offenses. Shepard wasn't much good near the goal line - he failed to score from inside the 10 on seven targets, or inside the 20 on 11. Accordingly, he only scored twice all year, and that's despite missing Beckham for most of the season. At 5-10, 194, Shepard is on the small side, but he has a 41-inch vertical leap and a large catch radius for his height. He also has good speed (4.48 40) and is a smooth route runner with good hands. As such, he makes for a steady complement to the more explosive Beckham, and the bigger, faster Evan Engram. Just don't expect too many big plays or touchdowns, especially with uber-prospect Saquon Barkley also added to the mix.

Shepard's rookie season was a mixed bag. On one hand he caught 65 passes and scored eight times. On the other, he rarely made a big play -- six catches of 20-plus yards, none for 40 -- and averaged a paltry 6.5 YPT (36th among the league's 41 100-target WR). At 5-10, 194, Shepard is on the small side, but he has a 41-inch vertical leap and a large catch radius for his height. He also has good speed (4.48 40) and is strong and athletic for his size. Playing opposite Odell Beckham Jr. caps his upside, and it's likely to get worse this year with Brandon Marshall in the fold. Expect Shepard to operate out of the slot and run shorter routes, while Beckham stretches the field and Marshall siphons off red-zone work. As such, Shepard's more viable in PPR this year, but even that requires Eli Manning to play better than he has in recent seasons.

Shepard, a second-round pick, landed in an ideal spot, even more so if Victor Cruz isn't healthy. Playing opposite Odell Beckham Jr. ensures an easy transition where Shepard will never be the focus of defenses. Moreover, the Giants don't target Beckham with an inordinate percentage of their attempts. The Giants were also one of the league's more pass-happy teams, though that could change if their defense moves closer to league average in preventing points. At 5-10, 194, Shepard is on the small side, but plays bigger due to his 41-inch vertical and large catch radius for his height. He also has good speed (4.48 40) and is strong and athletic for a small receiver. He has upside, and even if Cruz were to return to his 2013 level, Shepard would immediately be the No. 3 receiver on a team without a good tight end.