Sterling Shepard – WR – Oklahoma
Not to beat a dead horse, but Bucs’ receivers had a lot of dropped passes in 2015. In fact, Tampa Bay tied for the fifth highest drops per pass percentage in the NFL.
With the First Pick
Sterling Shepard from Oklahoma has perhaps the most secure hands attending the Scouting Combine, and has made a college career out of catching the ball – a lot. With just five drops credited to the senior, he hauled in 223 receptions playing in Norman, and became one of the team’s pivotal members during their run into the College Football Playoffs.
Shepard is a polished route runner with incredible quickness in and out of his breaks, which will translate to open space and big plays in the NFL. He’s much more suited for slot play, which is fine because that is exactly where the Bucs need him. With Vincent Jackson returning, and Evans continuing his play on the outside, there will be little pressure for the 5’10” speed receiver to move to the perimeter.
The Bucs will have to spend a third round pick on Shepard if they hope to bring him to Tampa. However, if he can display his maturity and leadership ability in team interviews, the combination of big play talent and mentality may be too much to for other teams to let him out of the second.
Next: TE - Bryce Williams