New York Giants: Sterling Shepard Is Projected Breakout Rookie
New York Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard landed on ESPN NFL Nation’s breakout rookie list.
The New York Giants have struggled finding a running mate for wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. They had hoped that Rueben Randle would fill the role, but he fell short as he looked disinterested at times during his Giants tenure. Victor Cruz has been able to take the field for only 1.5 games with Beckham Jr. thus far, battling a number of injuries.
As a result, the Giants went into the draft to try and find a partner in crime for Beckham Jr. As one of the best receivers in the league, Beckham Jr. will attract double teams throughout the season. The Giants need to find someone that will take advantage of the one-on-ones they will face, and think they have finally found someone capable of doing it.
That player is 2016 second round pick Sterling Shepard. Shepard was one of the most productive players in the nation in 2015 at Oklahoma, and the Giants are hoping that carries over to the NFL.
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He has an intriguing skill set as he can play all over the formation. He has excellent hands, quickness and runs routes with the best of them. Also working in his favor is how often the Giants spread things out. The Giants use three-receiver sets as much as any team in the NFL, 91 percent on pass downs, so even if Cruz returns to form there will be plenty of playing time available for Shepard.
Shepard will have plenty of opportunities to showcase his talent and should help put the Giants passing game over the hump. Shepard has a chance to be productive right away, a chance not all rookies are afforded.
That is why he landed on the breakout rookie list. Over at ESPN, their NFL Nation correspondents have been putting together lists for the upcoming NFL season. They did a list of breakout players, which center Weston Richburg was picked for. For their breakout rookie, Jordan Raanan selected Shepard.
Here is what Raanan had to say about Shepard, who is primed for a big rookie campaign.
"Odell Beckham Jr. finally has a sidekick in Shepard, who has impressed just about everyone this spring and summer with his crisp routes and immense catch radius. Playing next to Beckham in this pass-heavy Giants offense, Shepard will make an instant impact. As one NFC executive said: “He’s going to be a really good player.”"
Shepard couldn’t have landed in much better of a spot than he did with the Giants. He has an excellent quarterback throwing him passes in Eli Manning and one of the best across the field from him in Beckham Jr.
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Add in the return of Cruz, a former No.1 receiver for th Giants, and the makings for an explosive offense are in place. If the offensive line can do their job protecting Manning the sky is the limit for this offseason.