ScoutIndex

NYJ NYJ

Sterling Shepard

WR

Drafted 40th overall in the 2nd round of the 2016 draft, Sterling Shepard arrived from Oklahoma. Now with NYJ, he's in his 11th NFL season. Last season's 37.2 ScoutIndex Rating landed in the 15th percentile among WRs, below average for the position. Few match his burst, which grades in the 85th percentile. Across 11 NFL seasons, he has totaled 444 catches for 4,803 yards and 25 touchdowns.

Size

5'10", 194#

College

Oklahoma

Draft

Rd 2, 40th overall (2016)

Seasons

2016–2026

2021 ScoutIndex Rating · WR

Methodology
45.2

40th percentile among WRs

7 games · 53 targets

Role×0.14+1.00
Hands×0.1-0.41
Volume×0.12+0.25
Total EPA×0.22-0.40
EPA/target×0.3-0.77
Yards/target×0.12-0.60

Week 2 projection · vs GB

Methodology
Rec3 (1–5)58% 2.5+
Rec3 (1–5)58% 2.5+
Rec3 (1–5)58% 2.5+
Rec3 (1–5)58% 2.5+
Rec3 (1–5)58% 2.5+
Rec yds30.3 (7–53.5)50% 30.5+
Rec yds30.3 (7–53.5)50% 30.5+
Rec yds30.3 (7–53.5)50% 30.5+
Rec yds30.3 (7–53.5)50% 30.5+
Rec yds30.3 (7–53.5)50% 30.5+
Rec TD0.2 (0–1)14% 0.5+
Rec TD0.2 (0–1)14% 0.5+
Rec TD0.2 (0–1)14% 0.5+
Rec TD0.2 (0–1)14% 0.5+
Rec TD0.2 (0–1)14% 0.5+

Mean (10th–90th percentile) · recent form × matchup. Informational, not wagering advice.

2021 attribute card

click a row to see the formula
AthleticismReceivingRoleImpact

group averages

Athleticism

Speed46▶

Percentile of 40-yard dash time among WRs at the NFL Combine (faster = higher), 2000–present.

Burst85▶

Percentile of vertical jump + broad jump among combine WRs.

Agility26▶

Percentile of 3-cone + short shuttle among combine WRs (faster = higher).

Size24▶

Height/weight z-score vs. the WR cohort (from official bio, not combine-dependent).

Receiving

Hands84▶

Catch rate — receptions ÷ targets.

Deep Threat9▶

Average depth of target — receiving air yards ÷ targets.

YAC Ability9▶

Yards after catch ÷ reception.

Role

Target Share83▶

Share of the team's targets while on the field, target-weighted across the season.

Air-Yards Share66▶

Share of the team's total air yards, target-weighted across the season.

Impact

Efficiency20▶

Receiving EPA ÷ target — the Rating's largest component.

Volume67▶

Total targets this season.

Career (regular season)

SeasonTmSIGPass ydsPass TDRush ydsRush TDRecRec ydsRec TD
2026NYJ41.2213
2025TB37.21319393711
2024TB49.41369323341
2023NYG28.210610571
2022NYG38.63131541
2021NYG45.27-9363661
2020NYG57.312491666563
2019NYG47.11072575763
2018NYG65.71633668724
2017NYG71.4114597312
2016NYG56.51631656838

Career profile

Across 11 NFL seasons on file, Sterling Shepard has played in 113 regular-season games, playing for 3 teams: NYG (2016–2023), TB (2024–2025), NYJ (2026).

He has rushed for 274 yards and 1 touchdown. As a receiver he has caught 444 passes for 4,803 yards and 25 touchdowns. His most productive receiving season was 2018 with NYG: 872 yards and 4 touchdowns in 16 games.

By the ScoutIndex Rating, his best qualified season was 2017: a 71.4, in the 91st percentile among WRs that year.

Career highs (regular season)

2021 splits

regular season
SplitGRecRec ydsRec TD
Home4
21
5.3/g
220
55/g
1
Away3
15
5.0/g
146
49/g
0
In division2
11
5.5/g
109
55/g
0
Out of division5
25
5.0/g
257
51/g
1
In losses7
36
5.1/g
366
52/g
1
On grass2
13
6.5/g
119
60/g
0
On turf5
23
4.6/g
247
49/g
1
Indoors1
2
2.0/g
27
27/g
0
Outdoors6
34
5.7/g
339
57/g
1

2021 game log

WkOppLineScore
Week 1DEN7 rec, 113 yds, 1 TD79.5
Week 2WAS-9 rush yds, 0 TD · 9 rec, 94 yds, 0 TD73
Week 3ATL2 rec, 16 yds, 0 TD39.6
Week 6LAR10 rec, 76 yds, 0 TD56.8
Week 8KC4 rec, 25 yds, 0 TD33.2
Week 14LAC2 rec, 27 yds, 0 TD38.4
Week 15DAL2 rec, 15 yds, 0 TD18.2

Sterling Shepard — common questions

What position does Sterling Shepard play?
Sterling Shepard is listed as a WR.
Which teams has Sterling Shepard played for?
In the seasons on file (1999 onward), Sterling Shepard has played for NYG (2016–2023), TB (2024–2025), NYJ (2026).
Where did Sterling Shepard go to college?
Sterling Shepard played college football at Oklahoma.
When was Sterling Shepard drafted?
Sterling Shepard was selected in round 2, 40th overall, of the 2016 NFL Draft.
How many touchdowns has Sterling Shepard scored?
Sterling Shepard has 26 touchdowns in the regular-season games on file (1 rushing, 25 receiving).
What is Sterling Shepard's ScoutIndex Rating?
Sterling Shepard rated 41.2 for 2026, the 24th percentile among WRs (provisional or limited sample). Ratings run 0–99; about 60 is a league-average qualified starter.

Related players

Top teammates, last season on file

Drafted in round 2, 2016

Also from Oklahoma