7 NY Giants who need big seasons in 2021, including Daniel Jones

4) Sterling Shepard – WR

It might come as a surprise to see Shepard on this list, but the NY Giants’ receiving corps has improved dramatically this offseason, and rookie Kadarius Toney might be best suited to line up in the slot.

Shepard, the longest-tenured Giant, was second on the team in targets and receiving yards last season, but caught only three touchdowns, while averaging 9.9 yards per reception.

If Shepard benefits, as he certainly has the potential to, from the addition of Kenny Golladay via free agency and the attention paid to a healthy Saquon Barkley, perhaps he could push for his first 1,000-yard season.

However, if Shepard is supplanted by Toney or fails to bounce back from last season, it is very possible that 2021 is his last in an NY Giants uniform.

The NY Giants can shave $8.5 million in cap space, by designating Shepard as a post-June 1 cut in 2022, while absorbing a dead-money cap charge of just $2 million. If Shepard doesn’t become a legitimate weapon in the passing game this season, and Toney does, this is a situation to watch.