NYG WR Sterling Shepard - Week 3 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 3 vs. Dallas Cowboys

Sterling Shepard caught six of his 10 targets last week against the Panthers, but he finished with only 34 yards. He’s always been a target-hog, so while he’s healthy and starting, he should be considered a high-floor low-end PPR option in deeper leagues. However, it’s hard to bank on the Giants’ offense in general so fantasy managers should probably keep Shepard on the bench for now.

Thursday, September 22, 2022 - 7:06pm
NYG WR Sterling Shepard - Week 2 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 2 vs. Carolina Panthers

Sterling Shepard only caught two balls against the Titans in Week 1, but he had 71 yards, including a 65-yard touchdown. Shepard looks healthy and seems to be in better favor with the coaching staff than Kadarius Toney, who was relegated to just 12% of the team’s offensive snaps last week. Shepard has a long history of injury, but when he plays, he’s usually a target-hog. Still, this offense is hard to put a lot of stock into and in what looks like a tough matchup against a pair of aggressive corners, it’s too risky to trust any of the Giants’ receivers. Sit him.

Wednesday, September 14, 2022 - 5:50pm
NYG WR Sterling Shepard - Week 15 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 15 vs. Dallas Cowboys

Sterling Shepard returned to action last week, but caught just two of four targets for 27 yards in a loss to the Chargers. Shepard is typically a target hog, but the poor quarterback play in New York hasn’t been good for any of the Giants’ offensive weapons.

This week, Shepard faces a Cowboys defense that ranks 28th in aFPA to opposing wide receivers. He has some upside in PPR formats since he tends to accrue targets, but this offense looks like a mess – especially the passing game. Look elsewhere if at all possible.

Friday, December 17, 2021 - 10:13am
NYG WR Sterling Shepard - Week 8 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 8 at Kansas City Chiefs

Sterling Shepard was a late scratch last week after re-aggravating his hamstring, and fantasy managers have to add “check Giants’ injury report” to their list of Sunday errands until further notice.

This week, if Shepard plays, he has a nice matchup against a Chiefs defense that ranks 24th in aFPA to opposing wide receivers. If Shepard plays, he’s a target-hog in a nice matchup, just make sure you pick up Darius Slayton – or even Dante Pettis – as an emergency option if he’s a late scratch again. We have him ranked as a solid WR3 option.

Thursday, October 28, 2021 - 3:21pm
NYG WR Sterling Shepard - Week 7 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 7 vs. Carolina Panthers

Sterling Shepard returned to action last week against the Rams and was once again heavily targeted. He wound up catching 10 of 14 balls for 76 yards. When healthy – which has been a huge issue throughout his career – Shepard is a PPR demon with a high floor each week due to his target share.

This week, Shepard faces a Panthers defense that ranks 11th in aFPA to opposing wide receivers. Shepard should continue to get a ton of targets, particularly with Kadarius Toney and Kenny Golladay likely to be absent. Start him as a high-floor WR2 option in PPR formats.

Update: Looks like Shepard is out, so be sure to get him out of your lineups.

Thursday, October 21, 2021 - 11:46am
NYG WR Sterling Shepard - Week 3 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 3 vs. Atlanta Falcons

Sterling Shepard led the team with 10 targets last week against the Washington Football Team. He hauled in nine of them for 94 yards, turning in a solid PPR performance. Shepard has an impressive 16 catches on 19 targets through two games, and he continues to be a target hog in this offense. As long as he’s healthy, he’ll see balls thrown his way.

This week, Shepard faces a very vulnerable Falcons defense that gave up big offensive numbers in the first two weeks. Expect another full day of targets for Shepard and a high floor in PPR formats. We have him ranked as a solid WR3 or flex option.

Friday, September 24, 2021 - 10:30am
NYG WR Sterling Shepard - Week 2 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 2 at Washington Football Team

Sterling Shepard was the lone bright spot for the Giants against the Broncos last week, catching seven of nine targets for 113 yards and a touchdown. Shepard has always been a target hog, and that doesn’t seem like it’ll change, even with Kenny Golladay in the mix.

The Washington defense allowed good days to Keenan Allen and Mike Williams last week, but ranked third in aFPA to opposing wide receivers a year ago. Expect another busy day for Shepard, who should be leaned on to move the chains, but may struggle to find the end zone again. He’s a high-floor WR3 in PPR formats.

Wednesday, September 15, 2021 - 6:20pm
NYG WR Sterling Shepard - Week 1 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 1 vs. Denver Broncos

Sterling Shepard struggled with injuries last year, but when he was active, he got targets. He averaged 7.5 targets per game and scored three touchdowns on 66 catches in 12 games. Shepard might actually benefit from the addition of Kenny Golladay in the offense, as Golladay’s ability to make plays downfield could open up the middle of the field for Shepard.

The Broncos ranked fourth in aFPA to opposing wide receivers last season, making it tough to bank on Shepard to be a quality fantasy option in Week 1. He should continue to get targets, making him worth considering in deep, PPR formats as a low-end WR3 option, but if you can avoid this offense, that might be best.

Friday, September 10, 2021 - 9:58am
NYG WR Sterling Shepard - 2021 Fantasy Football Outlook

Fantasy Upside

Sterling Shepard is kind of like vanilla ice cream. Nobody picks it right out of the gate, but people are generally happy with it when it’s plopped down in front of them. Shepard has quietly been very productive – especially in PPR formats – throughout his career. He has a career average of 7.2 targets and 54.1 yards per game. Also, he had eight touchdowns as a rookie when the offense was a bit better and Odell Beckham Jr. was taking all the pressure off him. With Kenny Golladay in town and Saquon Barkley presumably back healthy, it’s possible Shepard finds the end zone a bit more after just 12 touchdowns in his past 49 games.

Fantasy Downside

Shepard is always an injury risk, as he’s missed at least four games in three of the past four seasons. He also suffers from Daniel Jonesitis, which may result in poor performance. There’s also a risk he loses targets based on the additions to the offense, including Golladay, Barkley’s return to health and first-round rookie Kadarius Toney. Toney seems like the biggest concern for Shepard, given both are shifty players who may operate best out of the slot. That being said, Toney might play more of a gadget role with Shepard lining up both in the slot and at the z-spot.

2021 Bottom Line

Shepard is available at the end of drafts with a 16th-round ADP in 12-team leagues as the WR64 off the board. With that price tag, he’s worth gambling on, especially in PPR formats. While he’ll have more competition for targets, he generally produces a decent floor when healthy. If your roster is full of upside guys with risk, Shepard might be a nice WR6 to round out your roster. If your roster is full of stable producers, maybe swing bigger at the end of the draft.

Sunday, July 18, 2021 - 10:23am
NYG WR Sterling Shepard - Week 17 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 17 vs. Dallas Cowboys

Sterling Shepard had a great game against the Ravens last week, as the lone bright spot for the Giants offense, catching nine of 12 balls thrown his way for 77 yards and a touchdown. Shepard has struggled along with the rest of the team this season, but he’s quietly averaged 5.3 receptions per game, giving him a decent floor in deep PPR formats.

This week, Shepard has a nice matchup against a Cowboys defense that ranks dead last in aFPA to opposing wide receivers. Shepard is risky because the whole Giants offense has struggled for much of the year, but assuming the Giants will need to throw the ball, the conditions are there for Shepard to at least put up WR3 numbers, especially in PPR formats.

Friday, January 1, 2021 - 11:01am

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