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Factoid

New York Giants

Shepard could be undervalued receiving threat

I don’t expect I’ll come close to drafting either Brandon Marshall or Evan Engram this year. With Engram, I just don’t like rookie tight ends. And with both of these players, I think they’ll face an uphill battle trying to see enough targets, given the depth of New York’s receiving corps.

Odell Beckham Jr., of course, is about as good as any receiver in the game. He’ll be their No. 1 option.

But I also see Sterling Shepard as a viable target. He had a really good rookie season, catching 65 balls. He’s not a burner, but he’s quick and tough – and willing to make catches in traffic.

In the last 10 years, only 13 rookie wide receivers have caught more passes than Shepard. I think he’s for real, and my leaning is that he’ll be more productive than Marshall. I believe Shepard will be a lot more productive than Engram.

ROOKIE WIDE RECEIVERS WITH 50 CATCHES (2007-2016)
YearPlayerNoYardsAvgTD
2016Michael Thomas, N.O.921,13712.49
2008Eddie Royal, Den.9198010.85
2014Odell Beckham Jr., NYG911,30514.312
2014Jarvis Landry, Mia.847589.05
2014Kelvin Benjamin, Car.731,00813.89
2015Amari Cooper, Oak.721,07014.96
2013Keenan Allen, S.D.711,04614.78
2007Dwayne Bowe, K.C.7099514.25
2014Mike Evans, T.B.681,05115.512
2014Jordan Matthews, Phil.6787213.08
2010Mike Williams, T.B.6596414.811
2011A.J. Green, Cin.651,05716.37
2014Sammy Watkins, Buff.6598215.16
2016Sterling Shepard, NYG6568310.58
2012Justin Blackmon, Jac.6486513.55
2012Kendall Wright, Tenn.646269.84
2008DeSean Jackson, Phil.6291214.74
2011Greg Little, Clev.6170911.62
2016Tyreek Hill, K.C.615939.712
2009Percy Harvin, Minn.6079013.28
2009Austin Collie, Ind.6067611.37
2015Jamison Crowder, Wash.5960410.22
2009Jeremy Maclin, Phil.5677313.84
2011Julio Jones, Atl.5495917.88
2016Tyler Boyd, Cin.5460311.21
2008Donnie Avery, St.L.5367412.73
2014Brandin Cooks, N.O.5355010.44
2010Jordan Shipley, Cin.5260011.53
2013DeAndre Hopkins, Hou.5280215.42
2015Stefon Diggs, Minn.5272013.84
2011Doug Baldwin, Sea.5178815.54
2013Ace Sanders, Jac.514849.51
2014Allen Hurns, Jac.5167713.36
2015Tyler Lockett, Sea.5166413.08
2011Torrey Smith, Balt.5084116.87
2012Josh Gordon, Clev.5080516.15
2012T.Y. Hilton, Ind.5086117.27

—Ian Allan

Fantasy Index