Week 4 at Houston Texans
Eric Decker had 4 catches for 49 yards for his most productive day of the young season for his new team. He also got a red zone target, which he failed to haul in. Corey Davis is out again this week, so Decker should continue to get some decent run. The Texans have allowed opposing WRs to record 25 receptions for over 400 yards and 4 scores in the past two weeks, so there's some hope Decker gets into the end zone. He should be used as a low-end WR3 or high-end flex play.
Week 3 vs. Seattle Seahawks
Eric Decker caught 3 passes for the second consecutive week, but increased his yardage total from 10 yards to 32. That's still not great, but it's a start. He'll get more chances this week with rookie Corey Davis out. But Seattle offers a tough matchup this week and Decker probably shouldn't be used as anything more than a flex play in this one. There's just no upside to this one.
Week 2 at Jacksonville Jaguars
Eric Decker saw 8 targets last week as the Titans put the ball in the air 41 times, but he managed only 3 catches for 10 yards. Decker is coming back from multiple surgeries and is still trying to learn a new offense. The targets are great and point to better days ahead, but you probably shouldn't use him as anything more than a flex play at this point.
Week 1 vs. Oakland Raiders
With rookie Corey Davis expected to be eased into the offense, look for Eric Decker to get his share of targets in this one against a suspect Oakland Raiders defense. Decker is coming back from shoulder and hip injuries that ruined his 2016 season. He's a big target and should be a factor in the red zone. But don't use Decker as anything more than a No. 3 receiver.
Fantasy Upside
A change of scenery could do Decker some good after an injury-shortened 2016 season. Decker is easily the most accomplished receiver on the Tennessee roster, one capable of putting up big numbers. He's scored double digits in touchdowns in three of the last four seasons he's been healthy, also reaching 1,000 yards in three of those seasons.
Fantasy Downside
Decker missed most of 2016 with shoulder and hip injuries, a bad sign for a receiver who's now 30. He also signed late with Tennessee, missing all of the offseason workouts, so it could take him a while to get on the same page with quarterback Marcus Mariota.
2017 Bottom Line
Decker's currently going in the eighth or ninth rounds in most drafts, which tells you many think he's going to be ready to bounce back. But he's got some work to do and his ADP might be a little high in a run-heavy offense. Still, even if he works primarily out of the slot, which is pretty much his current role, he should be productive. He's a big red zone target but he will also have tight end Delanie Walker to deal with in that area of the field. Draft Decker as a flex option and hope he develops into a decent No. 3 receiver.
Week 4 vs. Seattle
Eric Decker only had one reception last week, but that's mainly because his shoulder is not in good shape. He hasn't practiced this week and even if he plays, he won't be 100 percent. The Jets are also confident that WR Quincy Enunwa can pick up the slack.
If Decker can play on Sunday, keep him on the bench against one of the pass defenses in the NFL in Seattle.
Week 3 at Kansas City
One thing Eric Decker continues to do is score touchdowns. Two weeks. Two end zone visits. He also caught six passes for 126 yards last Thursday making him one of the better fantasy wide receivers for Week 2.
Decker, Brandon Marshall and Quincy Enunwa are all getting equal looks from veteran QB Ryan Fitzpatrick. It's a good thing for Decker, who is considered the No. 2 receiver because his value is about equal with Brandon Marshall at this point.
For Week 3, start Decker as a solid WR2 in Kansas City. Although the Chiefs have struggled early against opposing wide receivers, we still think they have a very good defense.
Week 2 at Buffalo
It was an off day for the Jets receivers against a pretty good Bengals defense in Week 1, and Eric Decker only managed two catches for 37 yards. He did score one of the two Jets touchdowns, so it wasn't a total bust of a day. Last season in the two meetings with the Bills, Decker was serviceable, combining for 11 catches for 135 yards and a touchdown in each game.
Buffalo doesn't have a shutdown pass defense, so there will be more opportunities for Decker (although a short week and a division road game are some negatives). Still, start Decker as a low-end WR2 for Week 2, and expect similar numbers to last season.
Week 1 vs. Cincinnati
After a decent first year with the Jets, Eric Decker exploded last year as the team's No. 2 receiver with 80 receptions for 1,027 yards and 12 touchdowns. We saw Decker put up numbers like that in Denver, but it wasn't really expected with a different type of offense in New York. Decker will get Ryan Fitzpatrick back under center again, and there's no doubt he was one of the happier Jets when Fitzpatrick signed a new contract.
It's not a great matchup for Week 1 against Cincinnati. The Bengals were 8th in aFPA to wide receivers last year and should have a very good pass defense once again. Decker should still put up decent numbers though, and we have him as a solid WR2 on Sunday.
Fantasy Upside
If you look at Eric Decker's 2015 numbers, it is hard to believe that he had the second best numbers of any wide receiver on the Jets. Even with Brandon Marshall lining up on the other side, Decker managed 80 catches for 1,027 yards and 12 touchdowns. And don't forget, Marshall is seeing the other team's No. 1corner and or double teams which leaves more opportunities for Decker. He also was targeted more in the red zone which is why you saw a high number of touchdowns.
Fantasy Downside
One thing we didn't see from Decker was the long ball. Although he has good speed, he only had 16 catches 20-plus yards and zero catches 40-plus yards. There is also a new offensive coordinator in New York (Chan Gailey), and change is not necessarily good for the Jets passing game.
2016 Bottom Line
Decker is a very strong No. 2 receiver from NFL standards, but he can be categorized as a No. 1B fantasy wide receiver because of the excellence in all categories. His ADP is 48, but he should be going higher. You can really grab yourself a steal by taking him early 4th round. We expect Decker to put up similar or even better numbers if he is healthy.
