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Sterling Shepard, Giants' rookie class showing serious promise

Rookie Sterling Shepard has developed into the Giants' No. 2 receiver. AP Photo/Bill Kostroun

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The New York Giants have been leaning heavily on their rookie class. In their biggest game of the season on Sunday night against Dallas, they started four rookies -- Eli Apple at cornerback, Sterling Shepard at wide receiver, Romeo Okwara at defensive end and Andrew Adams at safety. Only two teams (the Lions and Bears) started more in Week 14.

It has been a good season for most of the healthy players in the Giants' rookie class. Let’s take a look.

Grade: A-minus

Best rookie: Shepard, an Oklahoma product, has evolved into the Giants' No. 2 target, reaching the end zone more than any player on the team other than Odell Beckham Jr. Shepard seems destined to become one of the NFL’s top slot receivers. He’s second in almost every receiving category among rookies behind New Orleans' Michael Thomas. That’s a quality second-round pick.

Most improved rookie: Running back Paul Perkins joined the Giants late in the spring because of his commitments at UCLA. It put him behind a bit, but Perkins appears to have caught up and is now a significant piece to the offense and the Giants' future. He has an ability to make defenders miss, catches the ball well and has caught up on NFL blocking schemes as the season has progressed. Perkins has a chance to be the Giants’ top back at some point.

Most disappointing rookie: It’s nothing safety Darian Thompson did when he was on the field. He was destined to be the starter at free safety alongside Landon Collins. When he was on the field at training camp, in the preseason and regular season, Thompson looked like a potential star. His range, ball skills and ability to command the defense were impressive. His foot just didn’t hold up. After originally being injured in Week 2, Thompson needed season-ending foot surgery to repair a Lisfranc tear. He faces a six-month recovery timetable.

The jury is still out on ... B.J. Goodson: The linebacker flashed enough in the preseason to make people believe he could be the Giants' middle linebacker of the future. He has the size and athleticism to be successful. But he hasn’t played much (aside from special teams) this season. Next year should be his year.

Undrafted rookie check-in: Who would have thought Adams, a player who began the season on the practice squad, would be a starter for the majority of the games at free safety? It happened with Adams, and he filled the role serviceably. He was a pleasant surprise for the Giants in 2016. ... Receiver Roger Lewis has flashed ability and inconsistency. He has had two long touchdowns, but also a bunch of drops. Still, he has shown enough to think there is a chance he becomes a solid find as an undrafted free agent. ... Okwara started Sunday against the Cowboys in place of the injured Jason Pierre-Paul and had a team-high eight tackles and his first career sack. He provided a significant contribution in his first career start. It's not a complete surprise. Okwara impressed in training camp and has been part of the rotation ever since. The Giants believe they found something with the Notre Dame product. He has size and length, and they believe he can play the run and rush the passer.