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New York Giants Sterling Shepard Lands On Mel Kiper’s All-Rookie Team

By Kenneth Teape

Nov 14, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard (87) celebrates with fans after defeating the Cincinnati Bengals after a game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 14, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard (87) celebrates with fans after defeating the Cincinnati Bengals after a game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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New York Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard was named to Mel Kiper Jr.’s 2016 All-Rookie Team.

The New York Giants are heading to the postseason for the first time since the 2011 season. A big reason for the improvement in 2016 from the past couple of seasons was the influx of talent the Giants had in the offseason.

The Giants struck it big in free agency. They greatly upgraded the talent on the defensive side of the ball, going from the worst defense in 2015 to one of the best in 2016. The Giants also did well int he 2016 NFL Draft.

The Giants have received excellent contributions from their whole 2016 draft class. It has produced multiple starters, and all but one player appeared in at least 13 games; third round pick Darian Thompson was the only play who did not reach that plateau as he was injured after the second game of the season.

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First round pick Eli Apple has improved as the season went on, while fourth-round pick B.J. Goodson has been a solid special teams contributor. Fifth and sixth round pick Paul Perkins and Jerell Adams have seen their roles increase in the last couple of weeks. Their inclusion in the offense has helped improve things down the final stretch of the season.

One player that has been a consistent producer for the Giants offense is second round pick Sterling Shepard. Shepard was selected in the second round out of Oklahoma and immediately entered the starting lineup.

Shepard gave the Giants another player to complement Odell Beckham Jr. and he proved to be a very good player in the red zone for Eli Manning to target. His production this season also landed him on Mel Kiper Jr.’s All-Rookie Team in 2016.

Kiper Jr. made his selections for Offensive Rookie of the Year, Defensive Rookie of the Year and All-Rookie Team. Shepard was able to crack the All-Rookie team at wide receiver, along with the New Orleans Saints Michael Thomas and Kansas City Chiefs Tyreek Hill.

Here is what Kiper Jr. had to say about the rookie wide receiver trio.

"The only change from my midseason team is Hill, who replaces Houston’s Will Fuller V. Hill really came on as a pass-catcher down the stretch — he led the league in receptions per route run (23.5 percent). The Chiefs could use him a lot more next season. Thomas finished with 92 catches for 1,237 yards and nine touchdowns. If it weren’t for Prescott and Elliott, he might get Offensive Rookie of the Year. Shepard (65 catches, eight touchdowns) is a reliable No. 2 target for Eli Manning."

Shepard earned his spot on the All-Rookie team for Kiper Jr. He established a solid floor for himself and was thrown right into the fire. Shepard finished the season second among rookies in receptions, yards, and touchdowns, behind only Thomas in all three categories.

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Shepard has proven to be a capable producer for the Giants. They are hoping that he can continue producing into the postseason and show growth alongside Beckham Jr. as his partner in crime in the receiving game.

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