Sterling Shepard, WR Oklahoma

Height: 5’10 1/4”
Weight: 194 lbs
Hands: 9 3/4’’
Arm: 30 3/8’’
40 yard dash: 4.48
NFL Comparison: Randall Cobb, Golden Tate

Scouting Notes: Shepard is a slot machine who averaged the second-highest yards per route run average from the slot of any receiver entering the draft (3.17) thanks to his excellent hands and explosive feet. Small for a WR, Shepard certainly isn’t weak, boasting 20 bench reps at the Combine — there are offensive lineman that will be drafted in the first round who didn’t push that many reps just to put that into perspective. And though only 5’10’’, Shepard has a 41” vertical that allows him to contest for balls with the best of them. He’s a very, very explosive package. What separates Shepard from the pack is his elite route running out of the slot where he can flourish in the short and long game. He can be a possession hog or a deep threat at any given series, and his terrific balance assures that he gets the most out of each run after the catch.

Fantasy Outlook: Shepard has few chinks in his armor, and he’s a strong character guy so teams should be high on him. Unfortunately for him, his lack of size and relatively pedestrian speed will keep him from being a top pick — I’d be surprised if he got past the 2nd round though. Shepard will fit in wherever he lands, and he has the goods and the guts to produce on a consistent level despite his perceived physical shortcomings. Don’t sleep on the kid, as he’s going to be a major fantasy contributor. He’s worthy of a dynasty rookie draft pick in the back-half of the first round prior to knowing his future NFL team. He’ll have upside to possibly be a Top 5 dynasty option depending on the situation he lands in.

QUOTES FROM THE COMBINE

Q. Teams asking if you can play outside or strictly slot?

A. “I’ve gotten a lot questions about whether I can play inside or outside. I believe I can do both of them. I did it all throughout college. And I don’t think size played a big factor in it.”

Q. You’ve been compared to Steve Smith, in that you’re an undersized receiver. What do you make of that?

A. “Steve Smith’s definitely a guy I look up to and that I’ve been watching since I was a little kid. Just looking at the way he attacks the game every week and every practice. You have to have that play-big mentality. We’re not big in stature, size or anything, so you have to have that mentality and that heart.”

Q. You see proud of your route running?

A. “That’s what separates you from the DBs, so you have to take pride in your craft. That’s something that’s been an ongoing process for me, working on that. I still have things I need to clean up. It’s pretty smooth but it could definitely be smoother.”

Q. How big were the hands?

A. “I almost got 10. It was 9 and something. I was talking to Mike (?) about that and he said he had some guy massaging on his hands. I didn’t get any of that so I need to get on that.”

Q. Takes toughness to play the slot, big hands help. Why are you effective?

A. “Exactly what you said, being able to catch the ball in traffic, being able to go over the middle and make those tough, competitive catches. That’s something an inside guy has to be able to do and you’ve got to be fearless with it.”

Q. What do you need to work on?

A. “Just separation speed. I feel like at the top of routes, like a deep post or go balls, I could separate a little bit more. That’s working on my technique, running the toes of a DB down. I’ve learned a lot over the time since the end of the season until now, so I’m feeling pretty good.”

Q. What would your dad say to you now?

A. “I think he’d be pretty proud. My dad was really hard on me as a little kid, so I don’t imagine it being any other way. I have a long ways to go but as of where I am right, I think he’d be pretty good.”