
#17 WR · Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Height
5'10"
Weight
194 lbs
Age
33
College
Oklahoma
Draft
2016, Rd 2, #40
Experience
10 yrs
WR Rank
#292 / 309
Grade this player:
| Year | Team | GP | Rec | Yards | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | ![]() | 117 | 443 | 4,800 | 25 |
| 2025 | ![]() | 13 | 39 | 371 | 1 |
| 2024 | ![]() | 14 | 32 | 334 | 1 |
| 2023 | ![]() | 15 |
Length
1 year
Total Value
$1.8M
Guaranteed
$500K
AAV
$1.8M/yr
This Sterling Shepard signing represents a fair, low-risk flyer that earns a C CVI for Tampa Bay, reflecting reasonable value for an unproven commodity at this stage of his career. The Buccaneers are paying modest money ($1.8M AAV) for a veteran receiver whose production tier has dropped to "unproven" status, likely due to recent injury concerns that have derailed what was once a promising career with the Giants. At 31 years old, Shepard is clearly past his prime window, but the minimal guaranteed money ($500K) gives Tampa Bay plenty of flexibility to cut bait if he can't contribute meaningfully in their receiver room. The one-year structure is perfectly calibrated for a prove-it scenario — if Shepard can recapture even a fraction of his previous form in Tampa's high-volume passing attack, this becomes a steal, but if his body continues to betray him, the financial exposure is negligible. For a Buccaneers team looking to add veteran depth behind Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, this signing checks all the boxes of smart roster construction without breaking the bank or creating long-term complications.
Sterling Shepard's F grade in Tampa Bay marks the sad conclusion of a career that was once filled with promise. Shepard was a reliable, high-volume receiver for the Giants during his best years, showing excellent route-running and toughness over the middle. But a series of devastating knee injuries robbed him of the quickness and explosiveness that made him effective. His F grade reflects a player who is physically unable to compete at the level he once did. The Buccaneers took a flier hoping for a veteran presence, but the body simply can't do what the mind remembers. Shepard's career is a painful reminder of how injuries can cut short even the most promising careers.
No transactions found for this player.
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| 10 |
| 57 |
| 1 |
| 2022 | ![]() | 3 | 13 | 154 | 1 |
| 2021 | ![]() | 7 | 36 | 366 | 1 |
| 2020 | ![]() | 12 | 66 | 656 | 3 |
| 2019 | ![]() | 10 | 57 | 576 | 3 |
| 2018 | ![]() | 16 | 66 | 872 | 4 |
| 2017 | ![]() | 11 | 59 | 731 | 2 |
| 2016 | ![]() | 16 | 65 | 683 | 8 |
Updated Mar 25, 2026
Recent seasons are weighted more heavily in the overall performance grade.
F
2025
(50% weight)
F
2024
(30% weight)
F
2023
(20% weight)