EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — As the Giants’ scouts and front-office personnel surveyed the wide receivers available in the N.F.L. draft, a familiar name rang out when they assessed Oklahoma’s Sterling Shepard.
At 5 feet 10 inches, and with the playmaking skills that enabled him catch 86 passes last season, Shepard drew comparisons to Victor Cruz, their own star.
On Friday, with the 40th overall selection and the ninth of the second round, the Giants selected Shepard, giving Eli Manning another target.
Shepard could ultimately replace Cruz if Cruz is unable to regain his health. He sat out the 2015 season after tearing the patellar tendon in his right knee in 2014.