PFN’s Ben Rolf lists WR Shepard as a potential cut or trade

if that is what dependable means.

I think that he is another one of the guys, like Engram actually, who can be really good and productive when he is in a complementary role, but suffers when he is forced to be the primary. I really am expecting him to have a great year with Golladay and Toney alongside him.

Galloday and Shepard (experience) make us "average" and as a group if healthy we are likely a bit above average.
But if Shepard were to get hurt yet again during the season and miss some games this group is average at best even with Galloday. Until proven otherwise at least.

In comment 15281942 90.Cal said:

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Except he's never given us 900 yards qx yet alone 900 yds/year... hes gained 800 rec yards 1x in 5 years... this guy was supposed to be the next great slot WR, next Wes Welker type but it hasn't been close to that IMO.

Yes, I rounded his 872 yards up to 900 yds. If you have a true #1 WR (even Golladay-level) and get 900 yds from your slot WR, your offense will be in the upper half of the league.

He's actually been very similar to Welker except for one category: volume. In terms of yards/rec, Shepard is marginally better. And for Shepard's first 3 seasons, the Giants had Beckham. I know who I'd rather give the volume to...

In comment 15282022 HomerJones45 said:

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Averaged less than 10 yards a catch, misses multiple games every year. If they need the cap space there is 4 million out there to be had for the taking by cutting what is a mediocre wideout.

Only once has he averaged less than 10 yards a catch and that was last year at 9.9 y/r.

Sterling’s dead cap hit makes this idea a nonstarter. Rolf didn’t even do basic research.

....But the Toney draft pick makes it pretty unlikely that he's staying longterm and I could see him getting cut this year.

Golladay is WR1, Toney and Slayton will be given every opportunity to be WR2/WR3 as they are both younger, healthier, and much cheaper than Sheppard.

Add in that Engram (at least this year, I don't think it's likely he'll be back next year) and Barkley will be featured receivers too and... well it's not difficult to see why Sheppard is likely on his way out. Might not be this year, but unless Toney/Slayton BOTH fall on their faces this year it's hard to see him back next year.

and even then it's only likely if both Slayton and Toney look good this year. You need at least 3 good WRs (Shepard level or above).

then could entertain some debate on Shepard. But without knowing that is the case, I don't understand the logic behind these posts to blatantly dump him this year.

What is wrong with having a deeper rotation of WRs on the roster for a change? Wasn't it like just like 2 seasons ago that the Giant WR corps were decimated with issues (injuries, suspension, concussions etc.) to begin the season.

Judge also just mentioned he likes that the personnel in the WR unit all have various dimensions and different depths of strengths. Would like to think that means they can open up the play book and run numerous variations and looks in making the offense more difficult to defend and be more productive. Cutting Shep isn't aligned with that.

Besides, do any of us know right now how much Toney is going to be used in various roles, including running the ball? While I would like to see Toney get plenty of snaps to show off his skills, there is nothing wrong with spelling him in the slot with Shepard too. Its a long season for rookies.

Shepard's deal will likely be looked at next offseason...

The rest are very solid in their role player, but it's a deep bench. Who else do we have that does what Shepard does? Nobody, so we cut him for paltry savings? Makes zero sense. Slayton and Ross are the only guys that are really redundant for what they bring (although I think Slayton is the better player in this respect). Toney is his own thing.

I feel like people forget how woefully thin we've been at the position for the last decade plus. We've had some good top 3, but the guys taking spots behind them would be hard pressed to make many NFL rosters. The top end talent isn't great, but we are about as deep as anyone in the league 6 deep right now. Injuries happen and practically every teams top 5 gets significant burn at some point. This is what I really love about this rebuild, we finally have depth. It's what BB does and part of the reason they've been consistently successful. Football is a war of attrition and having rosters of 53 is kind of a joke. Making sure all 53 of those guys can play is important.

You put a few surprises on your list to rile up fans and draw attention to your work

I never heard of Ben Rolf. Now I have and that was his goal from the beginning

Shephard will be second on the list at season's end IF he stays healthy (which probably won't happen, but if you extrapolate whatever games he plays to a full season, I'd bet dollars to donuts he's number 2 by a decent margin unless Slayton makes a giant leap this year)

The only real scenario is if a contender loses a WR in camp and the Giants feel comfortable with Toney and Ross.

If the Giants trade Shepard now (post-June 1), they move the 7M of his salary for 2021, and the prorated portion of bonus money doesn't accelerate (stays where it is over the next 2 years).

The net cap saving in 2021 would be 7M. The Giants have comfortable operating space right now, so they'd likely roll that money over or use it as part of extension.

The real question is would anyone pay Sterling Shepard 7M?

He will force Shep to the bench very quickly (with Ross as aback-up). I see him as expendable, but like Christian said, who's going to pay him, if we trade him ?

In comment 15283250 Manny in CA said:

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He will force Shep to the bench very quickly (with Ross as aback-up). I see him as expendable, but like Christian said, who's going to pay him, if we trade him ?

Depends on what the Giants want to do scheme-wise; Garrett could have the five linemen with Rudolph lined up beside them and a four wide receiver set with Golladay, Slayton, Shepard, and Toney.