It’s been well-documented that the New York Giants had problems at the wide receiver position in 2020. They were among the league worst in separation, YAC per completion and dropped passes, which led to less than stellar season offensively.
But despite the Giants’ many problems at the position, it did not stop Pro Football Focus from ranking Sterling Shepard among the NFL’s top 25 wide receivers.
23. STERLING SHEPARD, NEW YORK GIANTS
Shepard closed out his 2020 campaign with his two best games of the entire season, subsequently squeaking him into the top 25 with a 79.6 PFF grade for the year. He was one of 85 wide receivers to see at least 80 targets this season, and among that group, he was 11th in the percentage of catchable passes caught at 94.3%. Shepard hardly did anything vertically in Jason Garrett’s offense, but he jumped to 16th in receiving grade on non-vertical route targets.
Shepard certainly was at his very best to close out the season and it’s likely no coincidence that those performances came in the absence of wide receiver Golden Tate.
Tate’s injury allowed Shepard to take some additional snaps inside at the slot where he’s far more dangerous and effective. However, Shepard also stepped up his game on the outside over the final two weeks of the season, boosting his personal statistics and the team’s performance.
While the remainder of the group needs work, expected Shepard to play a major role at wide receiver in 2021.
