With the departure of Odell Beckham Jr. last year, the fantasy stock of Sterling Shepard went up as the New York Giants’ new No. 1 wide receiver, with a four-year, $41 million contract extension to boot.
But a concussion in Week 1 cost Shepard Week 2, and another in Week 5 cost him five more games from Week 6-11. In 10 games, he had 57 receptions for 576 yards and three touchdowns (WR48 in full PPR fantasy scoring). Per game in full PPR, Shepard was WR25.
From Week 15-Week 17, spurred by 27 targets over that span (games with 11 and 10 targets), he was WR13 in full PPR. Widening to Week 12, when he returned to action, he was WR24 in full PPR from there to Week 17.
Shepard had a least six targets in every game he played in 2019, with nine or more targets six times, and his 8.3 targets per game was 16th in the league. As noted by Ian Hartitz, then of Rotoworld, Shepard averaged that same 8.3 targets per game in seven games with Daniel Jones last year.
In his 10 games, he had at least five catches or a touchdown nine times. He had at least 8.7 PPR fantasy points nine times as well.
According to Dan Duggan of The Athletic, Shepard was dominating cornerbacks in training camp and had established himself as the Giants’ No. 1 wide receiver.
If Shepard can stay healthy, his upside seems immense. Should fantasy owners buy in?
