The New York Jets announced on Tuesday that they are parting ways with seven-year veteran Eric Decker. This announcement came just days after the news that the team would attempt to trade Decker. After failing to get something in return, the Jets decided to cut him and free up $7.25 million in cap space. Now Decker is out to find himself a new home.
Now, there are plenty of teams that could use a wide out the likes of Decker. He had two surgeries in the past eight months, but is still a highly sought after free agent. He is only one season removed from a 1,027 yard, 12 touchdown season. That 2015 season was his third season with over 1,000 yards and ten touchdowns in his career.
Among the teams in the running for Decker, there are a few that stand out. Here are the top three potential landing spots for Eric Decker.
#3 Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens made headlines when they signed the other big-name receiver in free agency, Jeremy Maclin. This would lead most people to think that that would put them out of the running in the Decker sweepstakes, but the Ravens have other thoughts. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Ravens are still interested in signing Decker.
Landing Maclin was a big win for Baltimore, but getting both him and Decker would be a franchise changing move. The Ravens are obviously trying to get better weapons for quarterback Joe Flacco, in the hopes that they can end their two-year playoff drought and get back to being the contender they once were. Both receivers would be a welcome upgrade over their current receiving corps.
Before getting Maclin, the Ravens were looking at starting Mike Wallace and Breshad Perriman. Adding Maclin to this group pushed Perriman to third and gives them a much better top two. So where would that leave Eric Decker if they do sign him? That would leave plenty of mouths to feed, unless they got rid of someone.
The one thing standing in the way of the Ravens completing the big name free agency sweep: Cap space. The Ravens only have a little over seven million left to spend, per Spotrac.com. We do not know how much Decker will make on his next contract, but his last contract had an average payout of $7.25 million a year. This makes one think that someone in Baltimore will be cut if they bring in Decker. Not positive, but Mike Wallace might be in some trouble if Decker comes to town.
#2 Buffalo Bills
There is a possibility that Eric Decker will stay in New York and sign with the Bills. Buffalo cannot be incredibly happy with their current wide receiver situation. Their number one receiver, Sammy Watkins, has been productive when on the field, but has missed 11 games in last two seasons. Behind him is a group of eleven receivers that are a combination of inexperienced rookies, NFL journeymen, and camp bodies. The most notable of them is Zay Jones, who was their second round pick out of East Carolina. Jones had a great career at East Carolina, but it is not ideal to have young small school talent as the second-best receiver on the team.
First year head coach Sean McDermott decided to keep quarterback Tyrod Taylor. If they believe he is franchise QB, they need to get him the weapons he needs to be successful. Buffalo was in the running for Maclin, but lost out on the opportunity to get him, so signing Decker is their last chance to drastically improve their receiving corps this off-season.
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#1 Tennessee Titans
It has been quite some time since the Titans had a true number one receiver. The streak of recent failed draft picks at wide receiver for the Titans is expansive (Dorial Green-Beckham, Justin Hunter, Kendall Wright). Last season the Titans signed Rishard Matthews, who turned out to be a fantastic pick up. They also spent their fifth overall pick on highly touted wide out Corey Davis. Things are looking up for the Titans’ pass catchers, but there is no reason to stop there. Adding Eric Decker to this roster would give Marcus Mariota another reliable target and adds a solid weapon to the NFL’s eleventh most productive offense.
Not only does this make sense for the Titans, it seems to be the early favorite of Eric Decker as well. Only one day after he was released, Decker attended Titans mini-camp to visit with the team. Decker spends his off-seasons in his Nashville home and he was seen in Nashville cheering on the Predators during the Stanley Cup Final.
Another reason this makes sense is the Titans have the most cap room of anyone on this list. With over $45 million in cap room, Tennessee has more than enough money to get Decker. For these reasons, the Titans are the front runner for Eric Decker so far.