EAST RUTHERFORD — Wide receiver is a need position for the Giants, and they have made the first step toward addressing it with their second-round round pick.
With the 40th overall selection in the NFL Draft, the Giants have taken Oklahoma wide receiver Sterling Shepard, a 5-foot-10 pass catcher who has good hands and the toughness required to go across the middle with regularity.
"He's a great person, and leader too," an AFC scout told NFL.com. "He's going to be a star in the pros."
Shepard caught 233 passes for 3,482 yards and 26 touchdowns at Oklahoma. He had 1,288 yards receiving and 11 touchdowns last season as the Sooners won the Big 12 title and appeared in the College Football Playoff. A strong showing at the Senior Bowl in February raised his draft stock considerably.
The Giants are in search of a consistent No. 2 receiver alongside Odell Beckham Jr. now that Rueben Randle has left for the Eagles and Victor Cruz's long-term status remains an unknown. Shepard will likely have a chance to step into that role in 2016.
Here is the NFL.com scouting report on Shepard: "The similarities in backgrounds, playing style, production and football character and between Shepard and Seattle's Tyler Lockett are obvious. Shepard doesn't possess Lockett's explosiveness as a return man, but is a better overall receiver.
"With more and more teams using "11" personnel (3 WRs) as their base offense, Shepard's stock should be on the rise. Teams looking for a slot receiver who can make plays and rack up a high volume catch count on any given Sunday will find their man in Shepard."
James Kratch can be reached at jkratch@njadvancemedia.com or by leaving a note in the comments below. Follow him on Twitter @JamesKratch. Find and likeNJ.com Giants on Facebook.
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