New York Giants: Eli Manning has never had this many playmakers

Sterling Shepard

Position: Wide Receiver
Age: 24 (2/10/1993)
2016 Season Statistics: 16 games played, 65 receptions, 683 yards, 8 touchdowns
Career Statistics: 16 games played, 65 receptions, 683 yards, 8 touchdowns

While Paul Perkins came on strong at the end of his rookie season, Sterling Shepard was hot from the start. He caught a crucial touchdown during the 20-19 victory over the Dallas Cowboys in Week 1, and found the end zone an additional seven times after that.

Shepard still has something to prove, but the New York Giants appear to have found their slot receiver of the future in the former Oklahoma Sooners star.

Of Shepard’s 65 receptions in 2016, 50 went for first downs or touchdowns. He finished his rookie season at No. 2 amongst first-year players in receptions (65), receiving yards (683), first downs (42), and touchdowns (8), trailing just Michael Thomas of the New Orleans Saints.

For as impressive as those numbers may be, they would have been even stronger had Eli Manning not struggled to get him the ball during the second half of the season.

Now entering training camp with a full arsenal of weapons, Manning should have an easier time understanding where to get the ball and when. A, “Who’s open?” approach is tough in football, but Manning will have that very opportunity with this receiving corps.

More times than not, Shepard will find a way to get himself open enough for a big play to be the result of a throw in his direction.