Eric Decker

Decker missed most of 2016 with hip and shoulder injuries, but he recovered from a pair of surgeries quicker than expected and took part in the Jets' offseason program, only to be released in June as part of the team's all-out rebuild. The Titans landed the 30-year-old on a one-year, $3.85 million contract, bolstering a pass-catching corps that already included Rishard Matthews, TE Delanie Walker and No. 5 overall draft pick Corey Davis. It can safely be assumed Decker will man the slot in three-wide formations, but he may have to compete with Matthews and Davis for snaps when the Titans only have two receivers on the field. At 6-3, 217, Decker has good size and has been one of the league's better red-zone receivers for the last half decade. He has only average speed, however, and hasn't had a catch of 40 yards since 2014. While Decker will have a tough time approaching his target volume from his best seasons in Denver and New York, he should at least draw regular looks from Marcus Mariota on third downs and in the red zone.

It's amazing to think Decker scored double-digit touchdowns while playing opposite target-hog Brandon Marshall for a Jets offense that hadn't moved the ball in years. It's somewhat less so when you consider he tied for the league lead in red-zone targets (29) and led all WR in targets inside the 10 (16) while missing a game. Decker's per play numbers (12.8 YPC, 7.8 YPT) were below average for a top receiver, and he failed to catch a single pass of 40 or more yards. At 6-3, 214, with 4.54 speed, he's borderline as a No. 1 wideout, but more than capable of beating single coverage and proficient in the red zone. Like Marshall, Decker's facing uncertainty at quarterback with Ryan Fitzpatrick unsigned at press time and only Geno Smith and Christian Hackenberg on the depth chart. While Marshall is likely to dominate the overall targets, Decker will be fine so long as the two split the red-zone work again. With last year's second-round draft pick, Devin Smith, still rehabbing from a December ACL tear, and Jeremy Kerley in Detroit, there's not much depth beyond the two, so Decker should see decent volume, even with Marshall around.

Given Decker went from a historically productive offense to the 2014 Jets, his numbers didn't drop off as much as one might expect. With Geno Smith and Michael Vick at the helm, Decker still averaged 8.4 YPT (16th among the league's 41 100-target WR) and racked up four catches of 40-plus yards in 15 games, despite playing on a gimpy hamstring in a few. Where Decker dropped off most was in the TD department — only five after averaging 12 the prior two years. That was largely a function of the Jets not finding themselves in the red zone nearly as often as his former team, something that probably won't change drastically in 2015. At 6-3, 214, with a 4.54 40, Decker has enough wheels for his size to make plays downfield and in the red zone. He'll have added competition for in-close looks, however, as the Jets traded for the 6-4, 230-pound Brandon Marshall this offseason. Moreover, the team's quarterback situation is still perhaps unsettled — and not appreciably improved — with Smith expected to battle Ryan Fitzpatrick for snaps this summer.

Last year we argued Greg Jennings’ quarterback downgrade from Aaron Rodgers to Christian Ponder was the biggest in NFL history. This year Decker has an equally strong case. For that reason his excellent per-play numbers and heavy red-zone use from a year ago aren’t especially probative. Nonetheless, the 6-3, 214-pound Decker is likely to be the team’s top target and see work in the red zone on the occasions the team finds itself there. Decker’s not especially fast – his 4.54 40 time puts him just on the cusp of adequate for a bigger receiver – and it remains to be seen whether he can profile as a No. 1 without Peyton Manning throwing the ball and Demaryius Thomas occupying the defense. Michael Vick is competing with Geno Smith for the Jets' starting job, but it’s hard to say which would be more beneficial for Decker.

It's no fluke to finish second in the league in touchdown catches (13) when you lead it in red-zone targets (25). Decker didn't match teammate Demaryius Thomas in efficiency, production or big-play ability, but he surpassed him in scoring. And Decker (8.7 YPT, 13th) was no slouch on a per-play basis, either. At 6-3, 218, Decker has good size, and he's often going to see single coverage with Thomas on the opposite side. The arrival of Wes Welker is likely to impact Decker the most, but Welker's not a big scoring threat, and there's no reason Peyton Manning won’t continue to lean on Decker (12-for-25 conversion rate) when the team gets close to pay dirt.

Decker started off strong last year, then disappeared down the stretch as Tim Tebow locked in on Demaryius Thomas as his top receiver. While Thomas is the better athlete and has the higher ceiling, the arrival of Peyton Manning in Denver means there’s now room for two productive wideouts at the same time. As such, the 6-3, 218-pound Decker finds himself in a good spot. With Thomas banged up this offseason, Decker, who has himself recovered from a sprained MCL, has been working out with Manning since the day he signed and apparently is developing a rapport. Decker’s not a burner, but he’s got decent speed for his size, and he’s a polished route runner, something that should matter a lot more with Manning than it did with Tebow.

Decker heads into the 2011 season with a clear opportunity to prove he belongs in a starting role. Brandon Lloyd dominated the headlines for receivers in Denver, while the receivers around Decker on the depth chart, namely Eddie Royal and Matthew Willis, did little in 2010 to guarantee their roles in 2011. With Demaryius Thomas still fighting his way back from injury and Jabbar Gaffney off to Washington in a trade, Decker definitely has solid sleeper potential this season.

Decker should get an opportunity to contribute in 2010 because of the overall lack of talent in the Broncos' wide receiver depth chart. With the departure of Brandon Marshall, Decker's competition for playing time comes down to Jabar Gaffney, Eddie Royal, fellow rookie Demaryius Thomas, Brandon Lloyd and Brandon Stokley; not exactly Pro Bowl talent. Due to the opportunity to get on the field, Decker could be an interesting sleeper in 2010.