New York Jets: Eric Decker continues to improve

New York Jets wide receiver Eric Decker scored 12 touchdowns in 2015 and is continuing to get better and better. How good can he be in 2016?

Eric Decker is a quarterback’s best friend.

The 6-3, 225 pound receiver has been a phenomenal asset at every level of football, and he’s made huge strides since coming to the Jets in 2014.

Following four years with the Denver Broncos — two in which he played at a Pro Bowl level — Decker signed a big contract with New York and established himself as the 1a this past year in tandem with Brandon Marshall.

There were many who opined that Decker was simply a product of Peyton Manning while he was with the Denver Broncos, and at the time, those were fair criticisms. Decker has never really been a guy who was big on YAC, and with Manning placing footballs through the eye of a needle from 2012-2013, it was easy to think that Decker would have had to put forth more effort to screw it up than he did to have success.

When he got to New York, it wasn’t easy. In 2014, the Jets had one of the most horrid quarterback situations across the league, so the addition of veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick in 2013 was enormous for bringing new life to Decker’s Jets career.

Along with Marshall taking pressure off on the other side, the addition of Fitzpatrick really amplified Decker’s skills, making him look like the Decker we’d come to know and love while he was playing for the Denver Broncos.

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He had 80 catches for 1,027 yards with 12 touchdowns this past season, showing off his consistency and ability to get open in every area of the field. He still averaged under two yards after the catch, which isn’t his claim to fame, but if he can continue to get better and a little more physical after the catch, he can be even better than he already is.

Decker has always been a great route runner, which is a major reason why he’s so beloved by Ryan Fitzpatrick and Peyton Manning. As good as he is in the short-intermediate passing game, no one really ever talks about how good of a deep threat Decker is, and also how good he is in Red Zone work.

I think if Decker can cut down on his drops in 2016, he can earn himself a Pro Bowl bid and help the Jets compete with the Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills to take down the New England Patriots.

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