Eric Decker already looking like a bargain for Tennessee Titans
![EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - AUGUST 27: Eric Decker #87 of the New York Jets spikes the ball following his touchdown against the New York Giants during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium on August 27, 2016 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images) EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - AUGUST 27: Eric Decker #87 of the New York Jets spikes the ball following his touchdown against the New York Giants during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium on August 27, 2016 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Ftitansized-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2017-2F08-2F596729450-new-york-giants-v-new-york-jets-jpg-850x560-65946b316c557edadef271812b2750650643312b6ff02c4ceebd489548ced1d7.jpg)
Signed late in free agency on a cheap contract, Eric Decker looks primed to be a massive upgrade for the Tennessee Titans’ WR corps.
When wide receiver Eric Decker was released by the New York Jets late in free agency, he immediately became the top receiver on the market. He was coming off a season that was cut short by injuries, and he needed to get his hip and shoulder surgically repaired. That and the fact that his release came after the initial waves of free agency and the draft left him in a bit of a lengthy signing process, especially with a few teams interested in his services.
Eventually, he landed in Tennessee on a one-year, $3.85 million deal. There had been speculation for months that Decker’s time with the Jets was coming to a close. Once those rumors started floating around, I thought Decker would’ve been a really nice pickup for the Titans.
When healthy, Eric Decker is one of the best slot receivers and red zone targets in the entire NFL. Would fit perfectly in Tennessee. https://t.co/kajcBuQMXl
— Titan Sized (@Titan_Sized) March 3, 2017
Decker’s ability as a “big slot” receiver is indispensable in today’s NFL. That thought of mine, of course, came before the draft occurred and the Titans had picked two receivers with their first three picks. Once Corey Davis and Taywan Taylor were in tow, the wide receiver position appeared set.
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The Titans signed Decker anyway, rounding out a fantastic foursome of receiving options for Marcus Mariota. It was fair to wonder what Decker’s impact was going to be with Davis coming in as the future No. 1, Rishard Matthews coming off a stellar season and Taylor coming in with the idea of him as the primary slot receiver.
One week into training camp and Decker is looking like the Titans’ front-and-center guy at the receiver position.
Seemingly every report that’s come out of camp about him has been a glowing review of his talent and play. He’s making one-handed catches, the fans love him, and Mariota has an eye out for him whenever they’re running their offense.
.@Titans were fortunate to land @EricDecker87. Has been a regular go-to guy in practices, and this scrimmage
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) August 6, 2017
As Titans media legend Jim Wyatt notes, the Titans lucked into Decker. Jon Robinson, the team and the city sold him on Tennessee being the right place to be, but a player of Decker’s caliber doesn’t hit the market at such a low price all that often. He’s set up to be one of the best values of the entire offseason for any team.
Perhaps most importantly, Decker is fully healthy. Coming off two surgeries that forced him to miss 13 games just one year ago, it was unsure if he would be fully ready for the 2017 season. Not only is he ready, but he looks primed to make a massive impact.