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.