Sterling Shepard

Sterling Shepard

31-Year-Old Wide ReceiverWR
 Free Agent  
Free Agent
2023 Fantasy Outlook
Shepard recovered from a torn Achilles suffered during the 2021 season in time to play in Week 1 last year, but his campaign ended with another devastating injury when he tore his ACL in Week 3. The Giants liked his production enough, when healthy, to re-sign him during the offseason, but the "when healthy" qualification looms large because the wideout has played in more than 12 games just once since he was a rookie in 2016. There's no guarantee that Shepard will be ready to go by the opener of the coming season, and even if he is, his role is uncertain. New York is loaded with slot receivers and may prefer to give youngsters Wan'Dale Robinson and Jalin Hyatt more run than the 30-year-old Shepard. Read Past Outlooks
RANKS
$Signed a one-year, $1.32 million contract with the Giants in March of 2023.
Ends season with whimper
WRNew York Giants
January 10, 2024
Shepard hauled in three of five targets for 18 yards and carried once for six yards in Sunday's 27-10 win over the Eagles. Shepard ended the regular season with 10 catches on 22 targets for 57 yards and a touchdown over 15 games. He added a six-yard rush and a 10-yard punt return.
ANALYSIS
After playing in just 10 contests over the previous two campaigns due to an Achilles tear and a torn ACL, Shepard was able to stay healthy in 2023. However, he was relegated to a role near the back of New York's receiver depth chart and played fewer than one-third of the team's offensive snaps in all but one of his 15 appearances. In a testament to his limited role on offense, his modest numbers in Week 18 represented one of his better stat lines of the season, as Shepard finished the campaign with just 10 catches for 57 yards and one touchdown on 22 targets. The Giants seemed to acknowledge that Shepard's 2023 season would be his swan song with the franchise, as he was the final player out of the tunnel for pregame introductions in Week 18. Shepard will turn 31 years old in February and is expected to attract limited interest in free agency this offseason.
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NFL Stats
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Fantasy/Red Zone Stats
See red zone opportunities inside the 20, 10 and 5-yard lines along with the percentage of time they converted the opportunity into a touchdown.
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Advanced NFL Stats
How do Sterling Shepard's 2023 advanced stats compare to other wide receivers?
This section compares his advanced stats with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that metric and it would be considered average. The longer the bar, the better it is for the player.
  • Air Yards Per Game
    The number of air yards he is averaging per game. Air yards measure how far the ball was thrown downfield for both complete and incomplete passes. Air yards are recorded as a negative value when the pass is targeted behind the line of scrimmage. All air yards data is from Sports Info Solutions and does not include throwaways as targeted passes.
  • Air Yards Per Snap
    The number of air yards he is averaging per offensive snap.
  • % Team Air Yards
    The percentage of the team's total air yards he accounts for.
  • % Team Targets
    The percentage of the team's total targets he accounts for.
  • Avg Depth of Target
    Also known as aDOT, this stat measures the average distance down field he is being targeted at.
  • Catch Rate
    The number of catches made divided by the number of times he was targeted by the quarterback.
  • Drop Rate
    The number of passes he dropped divided by the number of times he was targeted by the quarterback.
  • Avg Yds After Catch
    The number of yards he gains after the catch on his receptions.
  • % Targeted On Route
    Targets divided by total routes run. Also known as TPRR.
  • Avg Yds Per Route Run
    Receiving yards divided by total routes run. Also known as YPRR.
Air Yards Per Game
9.3
 
Air Yards Per Snap
1.05
 
% Team Air Yards
4.0%
 
% Team Targets
4.6%
 
Avg Depth of Target
6.3 Yds
 
Catch Rate
45.5%
 
Drop Rate
13.6%
 
Avg Yds After Catch
3.4
 
% Targeted On Route
25.3%
 
Avg Yds Per Route Run
0.66
 
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2023
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2023 NFL Game Log
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Receiving Alignment Breakdown
See where Sterling Shepard lined up on the field and how he performed at each spot.
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2023 Sterling Shepard Split Stats
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Measurables Review View College Player Page
How do Sterling Shepard's measurables compare to other wide receivers?
This section compares his draft workout metrics with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that metric and it would be considered average.
Height
5' 10"
 
Weight
196 lbs
 
40-Yard Dash
4.48 sec
 
Shuttle Time
4.35 sec
 
Cone Drill
7.00 sec
 
Vertical Jump
41.0 in
 
Broad Jump
123 in
 
Bench Press
20 reps
 
Hand Length
9.75 in
 
Arm Length
30.38 in
 
Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Sterling Shepard See More
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40 days ago
Puka Nacua was the leader of a 2023 rookie class that outperformed expectations, setting the table for a 2024 class that comes with far more hype thanks to mega prospects Marvin Harrison and Malik Nabers.
Box Score Breakdown: Snaps, Routes, Air Yards & Personnel from Week 18
70 days ago
Incentives and milestones had a big impact on Week 18 fantasy scoring and helped drive a throwback week for some of the league's older running backs.
Box Score Breakdown: Snaps, Routes, Air Yards & Personnel from Week 17
77 days ago
Jerry Donabedian breaks down all the action for Week 17 and looks at each team's playoff scenarios for Week 18.
Box Score Breakdown: Snaps, Routes, Air Yards and Personnel from Week 15
91 days ago
Isaiah Likely did his best Mark Andrews impression Sunday night, but the Baltimore offense took another hit with RB Keaton Mitchell suffering an ACL tear.
Monday Night Football DFS Breakdown: Giants vs. Packers
98 days ago
AJ Dillon needs to show more, but the friendly Giants run defense could help him do just that Monday.
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
Shepard played in only seven games last season, as he was hampered by a series of injuries, including a torn Achilles that ended his campaign in mid-December. The Giants are hopeful that the veteran will be ready to play by Week 1 of the coming season, and he still could have a significant role among a pass-catching corps that struggled mightily last year and didn't add any big names in the offseason. Still, Shepard has dealt with injuries in three straight campaigns and never has reached 900 receiving yards in any of his six seasons in the league, so expectations should be tempered.
Shepard missed four games early last season with a toe injury, but when healthy put up his usual modest numbers — 7.3 YPT, 66 catches and three touchdowns. At 5-10, 201, Shepard has average size, and his 4.48 40 speed is similarly middle of the road. He’s a good route runner, has reliable hands and will help quarterback Daniel Jones move the chains, but don’t expect downfield plays or much red-zone activity. Shepard is joined by former Lions wide receiver Kenny Golladay this year, though Golladay will run deeper routes and see more red-zone looks, while Shepard operates from the slot and underneath. Of course, the team just drafted a faster and more explosive player in Kadarius Toney for short routes, and Darius Slayton, Evan Engram and Saquon Barkley are still around too, so there are suddenly a lot of mouths to feed in this offense.
Shepard had his worst season as a pro in 2019, partly because it was marred by two concussions, putting him at greater risk. His per-play averages in 10 games were also disappointing, though - a career-low 10.1 YPC and 6.9 YPT. That said, the 40th overall pick in 2016 is slated to be a prominent part of the offense, sharing the slot with Golden Tate and lining up outside opposite Darius Slayton. At 5-10, 201, Shepard is stout, quick and has above-average speed (4.48 40), but he's not a big-play type (only six catches for 40-plus in his entire career and none last year). Two tailwinds for the entire Giants passing game are a risk-taking young quarterback who can buy time with his legs to throw downfield and a below-average defense that's likely to provide some beneficial game flow. Shepard's a competent and reliable player when healthy, so he should be involved, but the exact pecking order among Shepard, Tate and Slayton has yet to be established in Jason Garrett's offense.
Shepard's situation might have been better had the Giants not acquired his virtual clone. With Odell Beckham Jr. gone, it looked like Shepard might be the team's undisputed top target, but the Giants quickly signed Golden Tate to a four-year deal, locking him in as the co-No. 1, likely in the slot. Tate's addition should force Shepard to the outside, where he lined up on only 30 percent of his snaps in 2018. Much like the 5-10, 197-pound Tate, Shepard is 5-10, 201, and both have above-average speed (4.48 40 for Shepard). The 25-year-old averaged a modest 8.1 YPT last year and a similarly average 13.2 YPC. He did haul in three catches for 40-plus yards, but lacks the size or deep speed to be a regular field stretcher. Shepard saw a fair amount of red-zone work - 19 targets from inside the 20 and eight inside the 10 - four of which he converted for scores. The Giants are high on Shepard - they gave him a four-year, $41 million contract extension, similar to what they paid Tate. The issues are weak quarterback play from Eli Manning and a crowded receiving corps in the short areas of the field - besides Tate and Shepard, both tight end Evan Engram and running back Saquon Barkley figure to be looking at a lot of targets in similar places. Look for Shepard to run more intermediate routes and possibly increase his efficiency, assuming Manning can still make those throws.
The Giants lost their top three wideouts, Shepard, Brandon Marshall and Odell Beckham, in Week 5 last year, and Shepard was the only one who made it back - before missing Weeks 11 and 12 with migraines. Even so, Shepard managed three 130-yard games in 11 contests, averaging a respectable 8.7 YPT despite playing in one of league's worst passing offenses. Shepard wasn't much good near the goal line - he failed to score from inside the 10 on seven targets, or inside the 20 on 11. Accordingly, he only scored twice all year, and that's despite missing Beckham for most of the season. At 5-10, 194, Shepard is on the small side, but he has a 41-inch vertical leap and a large catch radius for his height. He also has good speed (4.48 40) and is a smooth route runner with good hands. As such, he makes for a steady complement to the more explosive Beckham, and the bigger, faster Evan Engram. Just don't expect too many big plays or touchdowns, especially with uber-prospect Saquon Barkley also added to the mix.
Shepard's rookie season was a mixed bag. On one hand he caught 65 passes and scored eight times. On the other, he rarely made a big play -- six catches of 20-plus yards, none for 40 -- and averaged a paltry 6.5 YPT (36th among the league's 41 100-target WR). At 5-10, 194, Shepard is on the small side, but he has a 41-inch vertical leap and a large catch radius for his height. He also has good speed (4.48 40) and is strong and athletic for his size. Playing opposite Odell Beckham Jr. caps his upside, and it's likely to get worse this year with Brandon Marshall in the fold. Expect Shepard to operate out of the slot and run shorter routes, while Beckham stretches the field and Marshall siphons off red-zone work. As such, Shepard's more viable in PPR this year, but even that requires Eli Manning to play better than he has in recent seasons.
Shepard, a second-round pick, landed in an ideal spot, even more so if Victor Cruz isn't healthy. Playing opposite Odell Beckham Jr. ensures an easy transition where Shepard will never be the focus of defenses. Moreover, the Giants don't target Beckham with an inordinate percentage of their attempts. The Giants were also one of the league's more pass-happy teams, though that could change if their defense moves closer to league average in preventing points. At 5-10, 194, Shepard is on the small side, but plays bigger due to his 41-inch vertical and large catch radius for his height. He also has good speed (4.48 40) and is strong and athletic for a small receiver. He has upside, and even if Cruz were to return to his 2013 level, Shepard would immediately be the No. 3 receiver on a team without a good tight end.
More Fantasy News
Active, but fails to play Monday
WRNew York Giants
December 13, 2023
Shepard was active for Monday's 24-22 win over the Packers but didn't play any snaps on offense or special teams.
ANALYSIS
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Full participant at practice
WRNew York Giants
November 23, 2023
Shepard (hip) was a full participant at Thursday's practice, Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News reports.
ANALYSIS
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Dealing with hip injury
WRNew York Giants
Hip
November 22, 2023
Shepard was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice due to a hip injury, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
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Gets garbage-time score in loss
WRNew York Giants
November 13, 2023
Shepard caught one of four targets for a two-yard touchdown in Sunday's 49-17 loss to the Cowboys.
ANALYSIS
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Limited to just one snap Sunday
WRNew York Giants
October 18, 2023
Shepard wasn't targeted while taking the field for just one of the Giants' 77 snaps on offense in Sunday's 14-9 loss to the Bills.
ANALYSIS
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