Tennessee Titans: An Examination of Each Wide Receiver’s Role in 2017
By Max Dambach
Eric Decker
Eric Decker, the newest addition to the Tennessee Titans wide receiving corps, brings a ton of experience to the receiver room. His arrival has been covered extensively by some of our other writers here at TitanSized and their work can be found here and here and is well worth the read.
Decker has the large frame and precise route running ability that helped him garner three separate 1,000 yard seasons, and he has proven successful with a number of quarterbacks ranging from Peyton Manning to Geno Smith to Ryan Fitzpatrick. His blocking ability is above average for a wide receiver, which should endear him to a Titans staff that loves to run the ball.
Decker likely won’t record another 1,000 yard season, and Titans fans should not expect one, but he should be a reliable safety valve for Marcus Mariota while splitting time with Taywan Taylor out of the slot, where Decker’s large frame can create mismatches. He is also capable of flexing in as a second or third tight end due to his size and blocking ability. Decker is the veteran safety valve that the Titans were looking for in Andre Johnson last season. Decker will make clutch catches in high pressure situations and serve as a mentor to the young receiving options on the roster.