RADIO
Sterling Shepard 2021 Outlook: Veteran WR Will See Increased Target Competition
4 years agoNew York Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard caught 66 of 90 targets for 656 yards and three touchdowns in 12 games in 2020. Despite Shepard missing four games, he still managed to tie a career-high in receptions, a number that he originally set back in 2018 in his third season in the league. Shepard has struggled to stay healthy over his five-year NFL career, appearing in 65 of a possible 80 games and only putting together two 16-game seasons. In 2021, Shepard will have significantly more target competition as the team signed Kenny Golladay as a free agent and used a first-round draft pick on wideout Kadarius Toney. Add in a healthy Saquon Barkley to soak up looks in the passing game, and Shepard may struggle to replicate his 90 targets from last year, even if he is able to stay on the field. On the plus side, his role as the team's leading slot receiver should remain intact, so he should continue to see a healthy amount of snaps in the role that he's best suited to play. For now, he's best drafted as a high-floor, low-upside WR5 in PPR leagues.
