Editor’s note: NESN.com will profile intriguing prospects in the days leading up to the 2016 NFL Draft. Next up: Oklahoma wide receiver Sterling Shepard.
Sterling Shepard, wide receiver, Oklahoma
5-foot-10, 194 pounds
Projected round: Second
2015 stats: 86 receptions, 1,288 yards, 11 touchdowns; 19 punt returns, 148 punt return yards
Testing numbers: 4.48-second 40-yard dash, 1.55-second 10-yard split, 41-inch vertical jump, 10-foot, 3-inch broad jump, 7.00-second three-cone drill, 4.35-second short shuttle, 20 bench-press reps at 225 pounds.
Strengths: Shepard did most of his work out of the slot in 2015, lining up inside 71.7 percent of the time, according to Pro Football Focus. He caught 82.5 percent of the passes thrown his way in the slot. He had just four drops on 118 targets, ranking among the best draft-eligible receivers in Pro Football Focus’ drop rate. He caught 11 of 17 targets over 20 yards, showing off his deep speed and tracking ability.
Weaknesses: Shepard is quick on the field, but his 3-cone and short shuttle weren’t overly impressive at the NFL Scouting Combine. Shepard is undersized and gets “outmuscled on slants,” according to Pro Football Focus.
Patriots fit: Pro Football Focus compares Shepard to Patriots receiver Julian Edelman, though he doesn’t have his testing quickness and agility.
Thumbnail photo via Mark D. Smith/USA TODAY Sports Imagse
