GMEN HQ
FanSided

New York Giants: Revisiting Sterling Shepard’s Rookie Season

By Maxwell Ogden

Dec 11, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard (87) runs the ball against Dallas Cowboys defensive back Anthony Brown (30) during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard (87) runs the ball against Dallas Cowboys defensive back Anthony Brown (30) during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

New York Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard had a rookie season to remember in 2016. What did we learn from his first year in the NFL?

The New York Giants have one of the most dominant wide receivers in the NFL in 24-year-old phenom Odell Beckham Jr. In four short seasons, he’s cracked the Top 15 in franchise history in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns.

Though not quite as highly regarded on a national stage, one of Beckham’s teammates began to carve out a legacy of his own in 2016.

The Giants selected wide receiver Sterling Shepard at No. 40 overall in the 2016 NFL Draft. The former Oklahoma Sooners star amassed 233 receptions for 3,482 yards and 26 touchdowns during his four-year college career.

Following a senior season during which he recorded 86 receptions for 1,288 yards and 11 touchdowns, Shepard had quite the first year in the NFL.

Shepard finished his first season in the NFL with 65 receptions for 683 yards and eight touchdowns. He ranked second amongst rookie wide receivers in receptions, yards, and touchdowns.

That alone is reason to believe that Shepard is on the right track towards justifying New York’s investment.

Shepard began his career by recording three receptions for 43 yards and a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys. His touchdown proved to be a difference-maker during the Giants’ 20-19 victory over their bitter rivals.

One week later, Shepard recorded the first 100-yard game of his career with eight receptions for 117 yards against the New Orleans Saints.

Though he failed to reach the 100-yard plateau again, Shepard exceeded 50 receiving yards in six different games. He scored a touchdown in eight of his 16 appearances, including six of the Giants’ final nine games.

That’s a positive trend that displays the confidence he developed as the season progressed.

Despite playing in a system that struggled to find its flow and rhythm, Shepard had a successful first season. Even when Eli Manning came under fire for not spreading the wealth, Shepard was still finding the end zone on a consistent basis.

Playing alongside a touchdown machine in Odell Beckham Jr., Shepard has an opportunity to help the Giants build a legitimately elite offense.

Must Read: Defensive ends to consider in free agency

It was a strong rookie season for Sterling Shepard, who’s well on his way to becoming a star in his own right with the New York Giants.

Home/NY Giants News