NY Giants’ Sterling Shepard’s 2021 fantasy football outlook

Can Sterling Shepard benefit from the presence of Kenny Golladay and Kadarius Toney in the NY Giants’ receiving corps, and give your fantasy football team a boost? 

The trickle down effect.

When I got the privilege to talk to Evan Silva of Establish the Run, this “trickle down effect”  was not a thought that had entered my mind.

Then I remembered seeing this tweet….

After taking that information into consideration, I saw this tweet from @Anthony_Rivardo

Sterling Shepard has officailly made it onto my fantasy radar.

I admit, I wasn’t taking Shepard seriosuly when thinking about Fantasy Football in 2021. I figured the addition of Golladay and 1st round selection, Kadarius Toney, meant a knock on targets and production for Shepard.

Recently, I have come around on my thinking. What are we if we do not evolve our thinking in the midst of new information? 

Do I think he is a every week starter? No…

But, the more I look at the situation the more I see a path to success for Shepard in 2021 in terms of fantasy football production.

The path? — Well, Golladay, despite his tremendouns talent, is coming off a hip injury that cost him 11 games last season. Kadarius Toney has not got off to great start either, missing time in OTA’s and now showing up on the COVID-19 list.  Shepard also has the chemistry with Daniel Jones that the other two will have to form over time.

That can all be good news for Shepard owners.

Shepard already has the inside track to be the Giants slot receiver come Week 1. And right now, at this minute, Toney is going to have to come light years  to overtake Shepard as the Giants slot option on a consistent basis.

I am targeting Shepard in the teen rounds of Fantasy Drafts in 2021.  There will be weeks where the matchup determines that Shepard is viable option.  Do not hesitate if Sterling Shepard is sitting there for you as you get into the later rounds of your fantasy drafts.

Trust the “trickle down” process!

2021 Fantasy Outlook via ESPN:

"Few players have enjoyed as high a target floor as Shepard over the past few seasons. Shepard has seen at least six targets in 25 of his past 27 games, the exceptions being a five-target outing and a four-target game he left injured. Unfortunately, the usage hasn’t led to much fantasy success, as he’s yet to finish a season better than 30th in fantasy points. The culprits? Injuries (missed at least four games in three of the past four seasons) and a short-area role (career 9.1 aDOT) that doesn’t allow much work near the end zone (12 TDs over the past four seasons). The 27-year-old is headed for a reduced role (likely a significant one) in 2021 with Kenny Golladay and first-round pick Kadarius Toney now in the mix. Shepard will remain involved but is best valued as a low-ceiling bench option."