The Bucs have signed veteran wide receiver Sterling Shepard to a one-year deal, per Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network. Tampa Bay continues to add depth at this position after signing Cody Thompson the night before.

Shepard is an eight-year veteran having played his whole career with the New York Giants. He has played in 90 career games, making 372 catches for 4,095 yards and 23 touchdowns. He had a career best eight touchdowns as a rookie in 2016. Shepard’s overall best season came in 2018 when he recorded 66 receptions for 872 yards and four touchdowns. He also has some playoff experience, playing in three games.

Shepard Reunites With Oklahoma Teammate Baker Mayfield

Bucs WR Sterling Shepard – Photo by: USA Today

There is a connection between Shepard and quarterback Baker Mayfield as they were teammates at the University of Oklahoma. Shepard played for the Sooners from 2012 to 2015 while Mayfield was there from 2014 to 2017. Since Mayfield was ineligible to play after transferring in 2014, the only played one season together in 2015, two years before Mayfield won the Heisman.

Shepard was a two-time first team All-Big 12 in 2014 and 2015, getting that accolade in one season with Mayfield. They had a great year together as the duo teamed up for 86 catches, 1,288 yards and 11 touchdowns from Shepard. Mayfield threw for 3,700 and 36 touchdowns, so Shepard was responsible for a big portion of that production.

Oklahoma went 11-2 that season, winning the Big 12 Championship but losing to Clemson in the Orange Bowl.

Where Sterling Shepard Fits On The Bucs

Bucs WR Sterling Shepard – Photo by: USA Today

This is a low risk, high reward for the Bucs with this move. Shepard brings a veteran presence to the wide receiver room outside of Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. He’s the most accomplished out of everyone else competing for a roster spot and has more production to his resume than other veteran receivers that have been brought in by Tampa Bay in years past.

Having a relationship and being former teammates with Baker Mayfield is an added bonus. It’s always good to keep the quarterback happy and he won’t mind having a familiar face around. There won’t be many expectations for Shepard and this team, nor is he even a guarantee to to make it.

Shepard has had a solid career, but his production was severely limited last season as he 10 receptions for 57 yards and a touchdown. This could have been because he tore his ACL the season before after just three games and getting fully acclimated didn’t come as fast as others. Coming to Tampa Bay and reuniting with Mayfield might be the way to restore some extra juice that he has remaining.

There are at least four receivers ahead on the depth chart, so Shepard is competing with several receivers for one or two spots. But his experience brings some value and where the Bucs may find a spot for him.