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Oakland Raiders: Ranking the Top 10 receivers in the draft

By Austin Gayle

Jan 1, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Laquon Treadwell (1) scores on a ten-yard catch past the defense by Oklahoma State Cowboys safety Jordan Sterns (13) and cornerback Kevin Peterson (1) in the second quarter of the 2016 Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Laquon Treadwell (1) scores on a ten-yard catch past the defense by Oklahoma State Cowboys safety Jordan Sterns (13) and cornerback Kevin Peterson (1) in the second quarter of the 2016 Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 14, 2015; Waco, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Sterling Shepard (3) tries to elude Baylor Bears safety Terrell Burt (13) at McLane Stadium. The Sooners defeat the Bears 44-34. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 14, 2015; Waco, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Sterling Shepard (3) tries to elude Baylor Bears safety Terrell Burt (13) at McLane Stadium. The Sooners defeat the Bears 44-34. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

8. Sterling Shepard, Oklahoma

Former Oklahoma receiver Sterling Shepard’s qualities closely relate to an ideal slot receiver in the next level. He is a quick, athletic receiver with above-average route running ability from within the slot, as he often creates separation within the first five yards of his route due to his sheer burst and explosiveness. Though he isn’t your prototypical red-zone target given his small stature (5’10”, 194 pounds), Shepard will embarrass his defender on quick slants and outs inside the 10-yard line.

Also, Shepard has developed into a proven, reliable pass-catcher at Oklahoma, as he dropped just eight passes throughout his collegiate career, via Lance Zierlein of NFL.com.

Shepard brought in 233 receptions for 3,482 yards and 26 touchdowns in his four years at Oklahoma, according to SoonerSports.com. Also, Shepard is versatile in a sense that he has experience as a punt returner, as he averaged 7.3 yards per return in his final two years with the Sooners.

Like most undersized slot receivers, Shepard will struggle against press coverage at times and will struggle to run through contact after the catch, but he can improve his release at the next level with better coaching and technique. Also, Shepard won’t have great success running vertical routes to stretch the field, but he can get behind the defense on double moves.

https://twitter.com/JonahTulsNFL/status/718285634918555648

With his ceiling limited to an elite slot receiver, Shepard won’t be taken as high as some of the other receivers on this list, but Oakland could land themselves a steal at the slot position if they pull the trigger on him in the second or third round of the draft. Shepard would likely compete with Roberts for snaps as the Raiders’ No. 3 receiver, and he could make an impact Week 1 as a punt returner.

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