NFL: The New York Giants and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are going into 2023 with different expectations. The Giants are coming off a playoff appearance in 2022 that saw them knock off the Minnesota Vikings on the road, but would up losing to the eventual NFC Champion Philadelphia Eagles in the divisional round.
The Indianapolis Colts just named Anthony Richardson as their starting quarterback and are hoping to get some rookie magic in year one. Something that could help with that? Another wide receiver in Indianapolis.
New York Giants Trade Wide Receiver Sterling Shepard To The Tampa Bay Buccaneers In Blockbuster Trade Idea (NFL)
Kenneth Teape of NFL Analysis highlighted a trade scenario that sent Shepard to the Colts:
A trade seems very unlikely as Shepard has made it clear it is Giants or bust for him. There are already plans in motion to find him a role with the franchise after his playing career is over as well.
But, it doesn’t mean that teams won’t come calling about Shepard’s availability. Something has to give at wide receiver this offseason as the Giants cannot keep everyone mentioned above. One team that could call on Shepard is the Indianapolis Colts.
The Colts could use some more reliable weapons around Anthony Richardson, the No. 4 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Named the team’s starter in Week 1, it wouldn’t hurt to bring in a seasoned veteran to help the highly talented but raw Richardson as a rookie.
What could a deal between the Colts and Giants look like? It shouldn’t cost much to acquire Shepard, as the Giants have to pare down the position eventually. A fifth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft would normally be enough to get a deal done.
But, this isn’t your normal circumstance. The Giants have no interest in moving Shepard and he wants to remain with the franchise. A drastic overpay, such as offering a Day 2 pick, would be required for New York to even consider moving a player that means much more to the team beyond production on the field.
A season-ending injury to Ashton Dulin devastated the Colts’ wide receivers. There is competition for the four and fifth wide receiver spots in the room as the Colts could keep up to six wide receivers. Isaiah McKenzie, Josh Downs, Alec Pierce, Mike Strachan, and Michael Pittman Jr. are the likely wideouts the Colts keep. In that group, Shepard would be wide receiver two or three.
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