Drop Prevention On Sterling Shepard Agenda
June 3rd, 2025
Sterling Shepard
Lots of mixed feelings among Bucs fans when it comes to veteran receiver Sterling Shepard.
The 32-year-old has his detractors.
Shepard made a bunch of bonehead mistakes last season, penalties and drops. But he also made key catches and brought a lot of energy and swagger for a guy that started the 2024 season on the practice squad.
The Joe typing here is a Shepard fan. He stepped up when the Bucs needed him last season and finished with 32 catches for 334 yards and a touchdown. And he ran 8 times for big total of 69 yards.
After eight years with the Giants and a bunch of injuries, many thought Shepard was washed out. But his Oklahoma teammate Baker Mayfield called him last summer and asked him if he had another ride left in body and mind. Shepard jumped on the chance. He looked strong in Bucs training camp but busted a rib and midway through and didn’t make the opening 53-man roster.
Talking to Buccaneers.com this week, Shepard said he must stop dropping the football and he’s catching 200 to 300 balls daily to fix that glitch in his game.
“One thing you won’t question about my game is effort, whether it’s getting in there making a dirty block or making a tough catch, which I gotta do better at,” Shepard said. “I had too many drops last season. Like I usually don’t do that, so we’re working on that.”
The veteran of 404 career catches added that he treasures his role of supporting Bucs teammates — young and old — while also competing with extreme effort in a loaded receivers room.
Joe wouldn’t be surprised to see lots of Shepard this season, or to see him inactive on gamedays. He’s a true wild card.
June 3rd, 2025 at 5:01 pm
He had enough production last year and with his relationship with #6, I think Shep is a lock to make the roster. Would be very surprised otherwise.
June 3rd, 2025 at 5:27 pm
Definitely hope to see him stick around. Another talented, humble guy with talent.
June 3rd, 2025 at 5:39 pm
@TB_MikeB
Don’t be surprised if he is gone because with Evans Godwin McMillan & Egbuka or sure & depending on how they use Tez & it wouldn’t surprise me if they do start using Kameron Johnson more, too! Sure he’s very familiar with Baker but him dropping the ball a bunch isn’t gonna help him either.
June 3rd, 2025 at 7:24 pm
Practice squad. Put him in a glass case, and only break open in case of emergency!
June 3rd, 2025 at 7:26 pm
I hope we keep 6, hate to see him cast off
June 3rd, 2025 at 7:58 pm
Hey
June 3rd, 2025 at 8:11 pm
Not deserving of a mention. He has no place on the roster unless our top 5 (yes, I put Tez above him) are injured. And as a guy who doesn’t do anything for special teams, would he even have a place as the 6th receiver?
If he makes the team, something has gone wrong.
June 3rd, 2025 at 8:27 pm
FilthyAnimal, you’re being a little too harsh. You may be right that he won’t make the active roster. He’s getting a little long of tooth and he’s probably never been as talented as the 5 guys in front of him. I’m sure everyone saw him get a little bit out of control last year. But he’s a great teammate and a guy I’d like on my team. Don’t be surprised if he makes some contributions this year even if he spends some time on the practice squad.
June 3rd, 2025 at 8:28 pm
A few of those penalties last year were not penalties at all. You have boneheaded refs that get paid to know the rules and they have either an agenda or they don’t know the rules or in the Bucs case, both.
June 3rd, 2025 at 9:08 pm
He’ll be snapped up instantly by another team if put on the practice squad, just like Palmer and maybe even a couple more Bucs receivers, the Bucs are that deep.
He is definitely a high quality asset, despite the few drops and multiple bonehead penalties. Any team would be elated to have him and the Bucs are pretty much in a MUST KEEP 6 situation this year as far as wide receivers go and the 53 man squad. The draft, alone, tells you that they realize their major weaknesses were not having the depth at corner and wide receiver and they are not going to make that mistake again this year.
June 3rd, 2025 at 9:08 pm
I’d be shocked if he made the opening day roster. 4th and 5th WRs absolutely MUST play special teams and Shepherd really doesn’t. Unless there are two injuries to starters, Shepherd makes the practice squad at most.
June 3rd, 2025 at 9:24 pm
I feel like it’s not really a question of is he good enough, but more like we can’t keep everyone.
Just a guess but he probably doesn’t want to play anywhere else, so he might be able to clear waivers to make it to the practice squad. It would definitely be better to have him there than not at all.
June 3rd, 2025 at 10:13 pm
And, if Godwin is not ready?
I have to think that he makes the roster in that case.
Kameron Johnson’s stats for last year were two rushes for a total of eleven yards, and one pass target with no receptions.
5.5 yards per rush is nice for a miniscule sample set. But, isn’t that one part of what Tez Johnson is supposed to bring to the Bucs?
Between Kaemeron Johnson and Shepherd, I think that Shepherd has it sewn up if he has a decent training camp. If Godwin is not ready, then they probably both get a shot.
June 3rd, 2025 at 10:25 pm
I personally love Shep. The haters and trolls who dis him are quite often the same hypocrites who criticize others for being critical, yet throw him under the bus. All he does is give 130% every play. His boneheaded penalties must stop, but how do you not love a dude who is putting in this kind of work to fix a flaw?
I can think of a defensive coordinator who could benefit from the same methods.
June 3rd, 2025 at 10:26 pm
toopanca Says:
June 3rd, 2025 at 10:13 pm
If it’s neck and neck, you go with the young guy with upside. When it’s the 6th receiver, you go with the guy who offers something on special teams. Shepherd loses on both counts. He literally has no good path to the roster barring injury.
June 3rd, 2025 at 10:44 pm
Kameron Johnson has proven to be a blend of Kenny Bell and Jaelon Darden’s lesser attributes. The dude might be great in the Olympics but he’s proven to be an underwear football all pro who can’t play in the NFL when blocking and tackling is required.
Shep wins this battle hands down.
June 3rd, 2025 at 10:46 pm
“Barring injury.”
But the Bucs have injuries.
As a receiver Shepard is behind Evans, Godwin, JMac, and Ebuka. But Godwin is not certain to be ready for opening day. He might even start the season on IR. So who do you want as next up to catch passes behind the four? Plus he’s shown he is willing to start on the practice squad, which leaves JL some roster maneuvering room.
June 3rd, 2025 at 10:48 pm
Shep is a football player.
Palmer, Jarrett, Johnson, and the Dwarf are not. It’s really that simple.
June 4th, 2025 at 12:34 am
Nothing personal, I just just believe there are way too many better options. I have to admit to being surprised that there is even a debate. It obviously is too much of a struggle for him at this stage of his career. Cut him. Bring him back only if the WR room is devastated by injuries. I wouldn’t even keep him on the practice squad. No hate. Just an honest opinion comparing past record to potential of much younger players. Last season, he filled a need. This season, he really doesn’t. We have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to targets for Mayfield to throw to. He’s competing against RBs and TEs who also play special teams, and he doesn’t.
June 4th, 2025 at 10:24 am
Sheppard could be the odd man out and I think he is aware. The drops don’t bother me near as much as the stupid stuff he pulled.
Go Bucs!
June 4th, 2025 at 10:46 am
At this point he is WR 5. That is a great #5. The depth is awesome. I can live with an occasional drop, it is the hotheaded stupid penalties that need to be gone or Kam or Tez or Jarrett will take his spot in a heartbeat.
June 4th, 2025 at 11:52 am
Good to keep him around. Still has speed… Baker likes him as well…Depth
June 4th, 2025 at 12:59 pm
Joe it’s the difference between Uncle Jesse on Full House (teen Heartthrob John Stamos) and Uncle Jesse on The dukes of Hazzard (Hillbilly Denver Pyle)
June 4th, 2025 at 2:56 pm
I had no issues with giving Shepard a shot last year, and early on I thought he looked OK. But hopefully he’s not on the Bucs roster once the regular season starts. The Bucs added two rookies, both should make the roster, and you already have 3 studs on top of it, and if you go with six WRs, I’d still bet on Palmer on a 65-year old Shepard.
June 4th, 2025 at 4:38 pm
LOVE this guy’s Fire! He will be a part of making that WR room special even if he doesn’t take a snap, dude brings the juice 💯
June 5th, 2025 at 12:26 am
Right on Mike C. You can coach out boneheadedness (it there were a coach to do so). You can’t coach the passion or the effort. Dude puts 125% into every play and Baker knows it.