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Tennessee Titans fantasy focus: Eric Decker

By Dale Lolley

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 11: Eric Decker #87 of the New York Jets reacts after his first down reception against the Cincinnati Bengals during the fourth quarter MetLife Stadium on September 11, 2016 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Cincinnati Bengals defeated the New York Jets 23-22. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 11: Eric Decker #87 of the New York Jets reacts after his first down reception against the Cincinnati Bengals during the fourth quarter MetLife Stadium on September 11, 2016 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Cincinnati Bengals defeated the New York Jets 23-22. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images) /
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Breaking down the fantasy football value of wide receiver Eric Decker in his first season wit the Tennessee Titans.

When the Tennessee Titans signed Eric Decker, many fans rejoiced. The Titans had gotten themselves a veteran receiver capable of putting up a big season — perhaps.

Decker, 30, missed most of the 2016 season with the shoulder and hip injuries. He managed just three games in 2016, causing the rebuilding Jets to cut him loose. Training camp will tell if he is back physically. If so, he immediately becomes Tennessee’s most reliable target behind tight end Delanie Walker. That’s if, of course, he and quarterback Marcus Mariota can get on the same page in just over a month of training camp and preseason.

But Mariota represents the best quarterback with which Decker has played since 2013, when he played with Peyton Manning. Decker set career highs with 87 receptions and 1,288 yards to go along with 11 touchdowns. But that also came on a career-high 137 targets.

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Decker isn’t getting anywhere near 137 targets this season. Rishard Matthews led the Titans with 108 targets in 2016. Walker had 102. Decker hadn’t gotten fewer than 115 targets before last season since 2011.

So what can we expect from Decker in Tennessee’s run-heavy offense?

Decker has never caught a high percentage of his targets. His best percentage came in 2012 with Manning, when he caught 69 percent of his 123 targets. He’s typically closer to 60 percent. Again, however, Mariota is better than any quarterback he has played since Manning.

Ultimately, Decker is more likely to get around 90 targets this season for the Titans, which should put him right around 60 or so receptions. That’s right where fantasy football web site 4for4.com‘s projections put Decker: 61 receptions for 841 yards and eight scores.

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If Decker reaches that production, it would place him in the No. 3 wide receiver range. That’s probably where he belongs if everything goes right. The Titans will continue to rely on their excellent running game, even though Mariota is emerging as a star.

Because of that, take Decker in the eighth or ninth round of your draft.

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