{"id":22416,"date":"2017-06-19T16:23:24","date_gmt":"2017-06-19T20:23:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=22416"},"modified":"2017-06-19T16:23:24","modified_gmt":"2017-06-19T20:23:24","slug":"eric-decker-add-tennessee-titans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2017\/06\/19\/eric-decker-add-tennessee-titans\/","title":{"rendered":"What Does Eric Decker Add to the Tennessee Titans?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>On Monday, wide receiver Eric Decker signed a one-year contract with the Tennessee Titans. This came just a week after the New York Jets decided to part ways with the seven-year veteran. So what does he bring to what looks like a loaded receiving corps in 2017?<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Titans and former NY Jets WR Eric Decker reached agreement on a one-year deal, per source.<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/AdamSchefter\/status\/876586753574023168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">June 18, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h2><strong>What Does Eric Decker Add to the Tennessee Titans?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Competition.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Eric Decker | 2015-2016 Season Highlights\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/vS1yeT6GM0M?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>If it wasn&#8217;t clear already, it is now; It&#8217;s <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/M\/MariMa01.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Marcus Mariota<\/a>&#8216;s<\/strong> year to have a breakout season. Adding another weapon for their pivot is proof that the Titans wanted to set Mariota up for a big year in 2017.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/D\/DeckEr00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Eric Decker<\/a><\/strong> will join a young group of receivers that will benefit from more competition and a veteran presence &#8211; which the 30-year old wideout brings a lot of.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Eric Decker Highlights\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/aEYxfRVChb4?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Before two major injuries derailed Decker&#8217;s 2016 season, he was <a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/stats\/_\/id\/13271\/eric-decker\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">one of the most consistent<\/a> players at his positions. Racking up over one thousand yards in three of his last four seasons, he had over 115 targets each year with both the Broncos and Jets.<\/p>\n<p>However, this may change for Decker in Tennesse.<\/p>\n<p>Mariota is already very comfortable with <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/W\/WalkHu00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Delanie Walker<\/a><\/strong> and <strong>Rishard Matthews<\/strong>, and with the addition of fifth overall pick<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/2017\/03\/09\/corey-davis-2017-draft-profile\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> Corey Davis<\/a>,<\/strong> Decker&#8217;s targets may take a hit. But that doesn&#8217;t mean it will hurt his production. With it being a one-year &#8216;prove it&#8217; deal this could be Decker&#8217;s only chance to showcase to other teams he&#8217;s worth a multi-year contract. Meaning we may see a big year out of Decker who still has something to prove.<\/p>\n<p>So how much does the competition he brings to the Titans help them?<\/p>\n<p>Well, in a division with improving secondaries &#8211; all of them &#8211; adding a reliable option will help the Titans&#8217; chances of winning the AFC South substantially.<\/p>\n<p>Look at it this way, Decker comes in and is already near the top of the depth chart with Davis and Matthews, meaning there will be a logjam for the next spot. Which will be a mix of precise route-runner <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/S\/SharTa00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tajae Sharpe<\/a><\/strong> and rookie speedster <strong>Taywan Taylor<\/strong>, both who bring something different to the offense that will help in certain parts of the field and depending on the down. Decker improves this group in a lot of ways, but perhaps most notably, the price tag.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/J\/JeffAl00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Alshon Jeffery<\/a><\/strong> went to the Eagles for one-year, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.spotrac.com\/nfl\/free-agents\/wide-receiver\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">$9.5 million,<\/a> 49ers signed <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/G\/GarcPi00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Pierre Garcon<\/a><\/strong> at <a href=\"http:\/\/www.spotrac.com\/nfl\/free-agents\/wide-receiver\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">$9.5 per over five years<\/a>, and <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/J\/JackDe00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">DeSean Jackson<\/a><\/strong> went for <a href=\"http:\/\/www.spotrac.com\/nfl\/free-agents\/wide-receiver\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">$11.1 million for the next three years. <\/a>With it being such a late signing and knowing the way<strong> Jon Robinson<\/strong> works, it looks like, if healthy, the Titans just go another steal.<\/p>\n<p>The most attractive aspect of Decker&#8217;s game for the Titans is his red zone\u00a0efficiency. In 2015 Decker had <a href=\"https:\/\/www.profootballfocus.com\/offensive-packages\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">ten touchdowns on 28 targets inside the 20,<\/a> match that with Mariota&#8217;s <a href=\"http:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/years\/2016\/redzone-passing.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">red zone\u00a0work<\/a> and the Titans closest field goal may be from 31 yards in 2017.<\/p>\n<p>The signing likely means the end of <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/D\/DougHa00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Harry Douglas<\/a>&#8216;s<\/strong> time in Tennessee and practice squad for <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/M\/McBrTr00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tre McBride<\/a><\/strong>. But with the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/2017\/05\/01\/jacksonville-jaguars-2017-nfl-draft-review\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jaguars<\/a>,<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/2017\/05\/02\/indianapolis-colts-2017-nfl-draft-review\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> Colts<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/2017\/05\/02\/houston-texans-2017-nfl-draft-review\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Texans&#8217;<\/a> defense improving via free agency and the draft this offseason, the Titans just made a strong case that they are the favorite of the AFC South with this addition.<\/p>\n<div class=\"getty embed image\" style=\"background-color: #fff; display: inline-block; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; color: #a7a7a7; font-size: 11px; width: 100%; max-width: 594px;\">\n<div style=\"padding: 0; margin: 0; text-align: left;\"><a style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/605939346\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n<div style=\"overflow: hidden; position: relative; height: 0; padding: 66.666667% 0 0 0; width: 100%;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" style=\"display: inline-block; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; margin: 0;\" src=\"\/\/embed.gettyimages.com\/embed\/605939346?et=A-q3pYV1RlBOua8C_hTWFg&amp;tld=com&amp;viewMoreLink=on&amp;sig=uwxhukOn2PNZBN87jmqlQyKpFxm-tq65ZvZfWutzD5A=&amp;caption=true\" width=\"594\" height=\"396\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p style=\"margin: 0;\">\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In signing with the Tennessee Titans, Eric Decker will join a young group of receivers that will benefit from more competition and a veteran presence.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1956,"featured_media":22475,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[54,36,11],"tags":[558,61,88,40,1447],"class_list":["post-22416","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-editorials","category-nfl-news","category-titans","tag-eric-decker","tag-football","tag-marcus-mariota","tag-nfl","tag-tennesee-titans"],"modified_by":"John Bava","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22416","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1956"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22416"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22416\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/22475"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22416"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=22416"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=22416"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}