I know many here, myself included, were very high on this pick. I thought he had a little Steve Smith Sr in him with his toughness, big play ability and ability to play larger than his size. So what's the verdict one season in?
Hands , getting open and dependability he's everything I thought. However I expected him to be a bit more explosive, both making plays down field and running after the catch. It's the latter I think that has surprised me the most. I thought he was going to be very strong RAC guy but this season he wasn't particularly nimble or explosive in small places after the catch.
In short he was more Steve Smith Jr than Sr which is not bad at all, just different than what I expected.
The fact that for most of the year we were unable to move the ball on the ground allows teams to take away the passing game and put our defense out on the field for way too long.
Not bad for a rookie, but needs to make a Landon Collins-like jump in improvement to be a threat next season.
I thought he was behind Fuller and Boyd heading into the deaft. His play indicated otherwise. He had the best rookie season of the three.
I think it's better to focus more on his catching ability, ability to get separation, and what Eli/McAdoo and those who review the tape see of his route-running.
Honestly, what I see in Shepard is another SS, Steve Smith (the Giants one). He will end up being a very solid WR in the NFL, will be able to move the chains, but will not be a deep threat, but that's not what the Giants need out of him anyway.
I think it's better to focus more on his catching ability, ability to get separation, and what Eli/McAdoo and those who review the tape see of his route-running.
My point was that the guy can make a play when called upon. Unless you are on the Saints or a team with that kind of volume, 8 TD's is no small accomplishment. This was a bad offense this year and he managed to make a ton of 3rd down catches and find the end zone. I don't expect 8 TD's every year, but he certainly proved he can do it.
Guess who had 8 TDs last season? Rueben Randle.
People are going to laugh, but I have a feeling that all six of our draft picks will be starting next year:
1. Eli Apple - he'll improve and be 21 or 22 during the season, very young and very talented.
2. Sterling Shepard - excellent slot guy as noted above.
3. D. Thompson - was excellent til the injuries took their toll on him and he got IR'd.
4. Goodson - smart, hard worker, played more snaps as year progressed, may take MLB Shepard's spot (UFA) and rotate with LB Robinson depending upon team, coverages, formations.
5. Perkins - likely our #1 RB followed by Vereen and whomever we pick up in the draft and/ or scrap heap.
6. Adams - I think his blocking and size get him the nod at TE next year.
UDFA - Adams - played really well and will be the backup FS
UDFA - Okwara - if JPP gets big money elsewhere, at least we have a guy we know can "play"
UDFA - Lewis - strong on specials and showed some receiving talent in camp. Needs a strong off-season of work on his route running and such.
This was the best OFF-SEASON of Reese's career. I mean that because you have to include the UFA's we signed.
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had more TD's than him...8. Considering our offensive woes I'd say that's a pretty solid rookie year, maybe even really good year considering the circumstances.
Guess who had 8 TDs last season? Rueben Randle.
Yeah, in season 4. He had 3 TD's the previous year on more targets than Shepard had this season. But we are also comparing 2 players that don't play the same position so there's that as well.
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In comment 13317029 UConn4523 said:
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had more TD's than him...8. Considering our offensive woes I'd say that's a pretty solid rookie year, maybe even really good year considering the circumstances.
Guess who had 8 TDs last season? Rueben Randle.
Yeah, in season 4. He had 3 TD's the previous year on more targets than Shepard had this season. But we are also comparing 2 players that don't play the same position so there's that as well.
The point is, as Paul mentioned, Tds are not a great metric for judging WR performance. For example SS had more TDs than J Jones.
But to continue with Rueben Randle we saw his absolute ceiling. A bad WR who was just big enough to make a play here and there. I don't think it can be argued that we didn't see his ceiling.
Meanwhile our rookie has similar production, albeit in a different role, and seems to make the tough catches that Randle never did.
So yeah, same exact player....
But to continue with Rueben Randle we saw his absolute ceiling. A bad WR who was just big enough to make a play here and there. I don't think it can be argued that we didn't see his ceiling.
Meanwhile our rookie has similar production, albeit in a different role, and seems to make the tough catches that Randle never did.
So yeah, same exact player....
I never said same exact player.
In comment 13317131 SGMen said:
People are going to laugh, but I have a feeling that all six of our draft picks will be starting next year:
1. Eli Apple - he'll improve and be 21 or 22 during the season, very young and very talented.
2. Sterling Shepard - excellent slot guy as noted above.
3. D. Thompson - was excellent til the injuries took their toll on him and he got IR'd.
4. Goodson - smart, hard worker, played more snaps as year progressed, may take MLB Shepard's spot (UFA) and rotate with LB Robinson depending upon team, coverages, formations.
5. Perkins - likely our #1 RB followed by Vereen and whomever we pick up in the draft and/ or scrap heap.
6. Adams - I think his blocking and size get him the nod at TE next year.
UDFA - Adams - played really well and will be the backup FS
UDFA - Okwara - if JPP gets big money elsewhere, at least we have a guy we know can "play"
UDFA - Lewis - strong on specials and showed some receiving talent in camp. Needs a strong off-season of work on his route running and such.
This was the best OFF-SEASON of Reese's career. I mean that because you have to include the UFA's we signed.
I think most expected more from the offense as a whole than we got this season.
In comment 13317818 Carl in CT said:
Keep in mind that Shepard, whom the Giants picked at #40, was generally ranked a bit lower in the pre-draft analyses because his upside was viewed as more Welker-ish than Beckham-like.
He knows the speed of the NFL vs college ball, now....he knows what his weaknesses are, and it's up to him to work on them.....he has to learn one simple truth, catch first, then run.....as a rookie, he had rookie inconsistencies....and he was forced to be the second option, because Cruz was a shell of what he once was, and the TE's were a poor option....
There were some great flashes....hopefully he builds on it next season.....
He was billed as a special blocker - I haven't seen that.
He was also billed as an elite YAC guy who would break a lot of tackles. His field vision with the ball is limited and he goes down easily. if anything, I'd say he has below average YAC ability for a slot WR. I was surprised how easily he went down in the open field.
just my observations. I do like him as a role player and expect him to improve.
And having passed on Michael Thomas, and seeing what he did (albeit in a more explosive offense), I've got to admit there is a bit of buyer's remorse there. He'd be a perfect compliment to ODB.
He's a rookie. Your expectations were too high. He had a solid first year. I don't think he's a special amazing player but he's already a winning player and worthy starter. He seems like a very grounded and hard working kid. Hopefully he gets even better.
I think he'll excel.
As for this season, good rookie campaign.
I think he'll excel.
As for this season, good rookie campaign.
He was in the slot for much of this season.
Like everyone else said we get an NFL TE an actual number 2 WR and better OL yea he will do much better.
Man we were robbed of a OBJ Nicks Cruz lineup
SAD!!!!!
Which Eagles slot receiver could you argue is better than Shepard?
A useful chess piece but not a game-changer.
Later in the season showed great ability to defeat press coverage (vs. 26-McKelvin @Phi, vs 33-Hyde @GB), but his failure to separate vertically and make contested catches downfield is consistent with the prevailing thought that he is best suited to be a predominant inside receiver.
Only 6.5 yards per target, which was among the lowest qualifying numbers across the league and seemingly confirms the inability to create explosive plays.
Entered the league as an old prospect (turns 24 in Feb), which for WRs is generally pretty meaningful. He's older than Jamison Crowder, who was 8.8 yards per target this season and showed the game-breaking explosiveness that Sterling almost assuredly lacks.
Right now, the premier "slot-plus" player in the league is Doug Baldwin and he's somebody Sterling could potentially imitate if we find the right surrounding pieces. The big difference is that Baldwin runs such a wonderfully complex collection of routes and route variations, many of which lack definition by your traditional 0-9 standards. Sterling really only showed proficiency with slants and corners.
If there's something Thrill Ride laments, and lamented at the time, it was passing on a more prototypical Michael Thomas from The Ohio State. As much The Org likes Sterling and believes he is a winning player, dependable slot guys are so readily available -- many of the noteworthy guys were mid or late round picks, undrafted or low cost FAs. Not the 40th pick in the draft.