Tennessee Titans - Fantasy News

Eric Decker Fantasy Projection

by Aaron Bowers

8/11/17

NFL

Tennessee Titans

Eric Decker

A prolific fantasy receiver during his time with the Denver Broncos and first two seasons with the New York Jets, the 2016 season was snake-bitten from the start for the former Minnesota Golden Gopher, Eric Decker.

Poor quarterback play parlayed with hip and shoulder injuries derailed a promising season after just three games. Following several surgeries, and a change of scenery from New York to the Tennessee Titans, Decker could be poised for a bounce-back season.

Why Eric Decker Will Be A 2017 Fantasy Stud

From 2012 to 2015, Decker averaged 81 receptions, 1,085 yards and 10.25 touchdowns per season. Those numbers befit a top 10 wide receiver in most years, yet he was largely considered a second-tier receiver with his Projected Fantasy Points in the first couple games of 2016. After an injury-riddled campaign, he could be pose great value in our Dober NFL matchups.

Decker has never been known for his speed, but he is a technical receiver who runs excellent routes. He is a bear in the red-zone due to his 6-foot-3 build and soft hands. Decker has just seven drops in the last three seasons combined. He is also known as a great blocker who should stay on the field in all personnel groupings.

The Titans' offense really took off in 2016. Marcus Mariota made great strides to finish as a top-tier fantasy quarterback despite missing the final game of the season. DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry bulldozed defenses to help the Titans' offense finish third in the league in rushing yards.

With a strong running game, a dominant offensive line and a quarterback on the rise, many anticipate Tennessee to have one of the league’s best offenses in 2017. High tides lift all boats, and Decker will have chances to score touchdowns and make big plays on this team.

Why Eric Decker Will Be A 2017 Fantasy Dud

The Titans had the third-lowest percentage of pass plays in 2016. Mike Mularkey and his “exotic smash-mouth football” revived Murray’s career and took a lot of pressure off Mariota. With that level of success, it is likely that the Titans continue to pound the ball and use the short passing game to matriculate their way down the field, limiting the potential for big plays.

Decker will have a lot of competition for the number of pass plays the Titans run. Tennessee just used the fifth overall pick in the NFL Draft on Corey Davis, a player that profiles similar to Decker. They also have emerging second-year receiver, Tajae Sharpe, veteran receivers Harry Douglas and Rishard Matthews and Pro-Bowl tight end Delanie Walker. If Decker can’t find the end zone, it will be tough to find fantasy value with all the other mouths to feed.

Decker is also 30 years old and coming off serious hip and shoulder injuries. He has been given a clean bill of health and participated fully at OTAs, but it remains to be seen how his body holds up in live game action. Lingering injury problems could limit his effectiveness and diminish his fantasy value.