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. A July thumb injury will limit Shepard's involvement in training camp and preseason, but his temporary absence is less of a concern than the four-game suspension Tate is facing for a failed drug test. Read Past Outlooks