Oakland Raiders NFL Draft Preview: Slot Receiver

Sterling Shepard, Oklahoma

Former Oklahoma receiver Sterling Shepard might be one of the top pass-catchers in this year’s class, but because of his small frame, Shepard is considered a second or third round prospect. At 5’10”, 194 pounds, Shepard will be limited to a slot receiver role at the next level, but he still has the tools necessary to put up big numbers in the NFL regardless of where he lines up on the field.

Shepard, son of former Oklahoma receiver Derrick Shepard, is an instinctive, knowledgeable receiver who pairs his strong route-running ability with a visible understanding of how to tear up defenses in both zone and man coverage. With elite quickness and burst, Shepard can make defenders look silly on short and intermediate routes, while he has reliable hands in the middle of the field both when open and in traffic.

Shepard accumulated 1,105 receiving yards and six touchdowns from within the slot, and he dropped just four of 89 catchable passes in 2015, per PFF.com.

Though he has proven that he can leap over defenders (41 inch vertical) and bring in balls through contact, Shepard doesn’t have the same upside a taller receiver possesses in the red zone. If Oakland was to bring in Shepard in hopes of him catching goal line fades in the back of the end zone, they would be underwhelmed with their selection, but that doesn’t mean Shepard won’t have elite production as a volume catcher from within the slot at the next level.