New York Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard is garnering rave reviews from his coaches and teammates, including Odell Beckham Jr.
The New York Giants wholeheartedly embraced the value of the slot receiver by selecting Sterling Shepard in the 2016 NFL Draft. Putting Shepard in that box would admittedly be disingenuous to the well-rounded wide receiver he’s becoming, but his slot potential is undeniable.
As the 2017 NFL season nears and the Giants get their first look at the revamped receiving corps, Shepard is making sure he doesn’t get lost in the shuffle.
Shepard stands at 5’10” and 194 pounds with 4.48 speed and an explosive 41.0″ max vertical leap. For as impressive as those physical gifts may be, they’re only a fraction of what makes the former Oklahoma Sooners star such a special young player.
According to Jordan Raanan of ESPN’s NFL Nation, wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. praised Shepard as both a talent and personality.
"“He has such a bright future ahead of him and he puts that smile on your face,” Beckham said. “It reminds me of when I was young, it was my second year in the league, and you are just so happy to be here and to be happy to do what he is doing, so it is reassuring to see that from him.”"
Chemistry amongst a receiving corps is crucial for any team, namely one that projects to have as many as four viable options in 2016.
New York will have a pair of All-Pro wide receivers lining up outside the hashes in 2017: Beckham and Brandon Marshall. It will throw Shepard into the slot and projects to start rookie Evan Engram at the tight end position.
With four high-ceiling playmakers in the receiving corps, Eli Manning may find it difficult to spread the wealth in an adequate manner.
Fortunately, the Giants appear to be getting everyone on the same page early in the minicamp.
While Beckham, Engram, and Marshall are vertical threats who can go up and get the ball, Shepard’s role in 2017 will be centered more around shorter throws. He’s capable of breaking free for a big gain or working the end zone, but balance will be a key for this unit.
Shepard’s ability to work the underneath routes and draw the attention of safeties and linebackers will make it even more difficult for opposing defenses to contain the vertical threats.
Per Raanan, head coach Ben McAdoo praised Shepard for having a great day at the Giants’ recent minicamp.
"“Sterling Shepard had a nice day,” coach Ben McAdoo said. “I think he went out and had a strong first day in camp. He really showed up well inside. Made a lot of plays, so it’s good to have everyone out here working.”"
It’s an encouraging sign when two of the organization’s most prominent figures are praising a second-year player facing significant expectations.
Shepard is coming off of one of the better seasons by a Giants rookie in recent memory. He ranked No. 2 amongst rookies in receptions (65), receiving yards (683), receiving touchdowns (8), and first downs (42).
The hope in New York is that Shepard can not only provide similar production in 2017, but continue to improve the effectiveness with which he contributes.
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Based on the comments made by Odell Beckham Jr. and Ben McAdoo, it appears as though Sterling Shepard is doing the New York Giants proud.