Shepard performed with Baker Mayfield in school at Oklahoma. In 2015, the 2 shaped an electrical reference to Shepard catching 86 passes for 1,289 yards and 11 touchdowns. That season, Mayfield threw for 3,699 yards and 36 touchdowns.
Shepard was drafted by the New York Giants within the second spherical of the 2016 NFL Draft. He spent eight years in New York earlier than leaving final season. Mayfield spent two extra years in Oklahoma, ultimately profitable the Heisman Trophy earlier than getting drafted first general in 2018 by the Cleveland Browns.
Shepard Reunited With Baker Mayfield Final 12 months
Bucs WR Sterling Shepard – Picture by: USA In the present day
The Bucs contacted Shepard final offseason when it appeared like he could step away from soccer on the behest of Baker Mayfield. After discovering out the veteran extensive receiver was nonetheless in nice form, the staff signed him to its follow squad as a depth possibility for a receiving corps that was very younger previous their high two choices.
“It’s hard not to smile right now. I wasn’t expecting this,” Shepard informed NFL insider Josina Anderson on the time. “Three days in the past Baker texted me asking ‘How does your body feel?’ I stated, ‘I feel great. How’s the newborn?’ Baker stated, ‘The baby is good.’
“Then Baker asked me, ‘Man, you think you got one more in you?’ I said, ‘It just has to be right with everything I’ve got going on with my family because I’ve already turned down other opportunities. But I’ve been kind of thinking about it when I run outside everyday and lift.”
In the end, Shepard performed in 15 video games this previous season together with the playoffs, catching 32 passes for 334 yards and one landing. He wound up operating the third-most routes of all Bucs’ receivers for the season.
Whereas rookie Jalen McMillan took time to develop right into a dependable possibility late within the season, Shepard was a constant route runner who Mayfield and the offense may rely on. His greatest stretch was between Week 13 and Week 14 when he caught eight of 13 targets for 105 yards and averaged 2.1 yards per route run.
Sterling Shepard’s Function With The Bucs Going Ahead
Bucs WR Sterling Shepard – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
At this stage of his profession, Shepard can solely be thought-about a high-floor depth possibility. With McMillan’s late-season ascension, Mike Evans’ persevering with his ageless surprise act and Chris Godwin’s return, the Bucs have their beginning choices set for 2025.
As of now, Shepard will compete with Trey Palmer, Rakim Jarrett and Kameron Johnson for a spot on the again finish of the Bucs’ depth chart, and his roster spot is almost certainly not assured, particularly if Tampa Bay provides one other younger receiver by way of the 2025 NFL Draft.
For his profession, Shepard has 404 catches for 4,429 yards and 24 touchdowns whereas averaging 11.0 yards per catch.
