Eric Decker officially cut by Jets, where is his best fit as a free agent?
It’s rare to find one potential impact receiver in free agency in June, and already this month two good veteran receivers have become available.
The New York Jets announced Monday they’ve officially cut Eric Decker after unsuccessfully trying to trade him for about a week. The Kansas City Chiefs cut Jeremy Maclin earlier this month, and he landed with the Baltimore Ravens on Monday.
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Decker suffered through shoulder and hip injuries last season, limiting him to three games and 194 yards. But he was medically cleared and, at age 30, can still help a team that is looking for a last-minute infusion of talent at receiver.
A statement from owner and CEO Woody Johnson: pic.twitter.com/3xsBWYb19s
— New York Jets (@nyjets) June 12, 2017
The Buffalo Bills seem like a possible landing spot for Decker. They tried to land Maclin but the Ravens got him instead. The Bills don’t have much at receiver after Sammy Watkins, and Watkins is injury-prone.
The Eagles might look at Decker. They were in pursuit of Maclin, and ESPN’s Josina Anderson said that was actually Maclin’s second choice after Baltimore. The Eagles need to give Carson Wentz some extra targets. Perhaps the pursuit of Maclin was because of his fit in the offense (Eagles coach Doug Pederson was Maclin’s offensive coordinator for a year in Kansas City), but they could still be in the mix for more receiving help and it’s unlikely a receiver better than Decker will be available between now and the start of the season.
An interesting possible suitor for Decker is the Ravens. Baltimore landed Maclin but ESPN’s Adam Schefter said they would still have interest in Decker despite landing Maclin. The Ravens didn’t have much at receiver, so adding two solid veterans wouldn’t hurt.
Decker has had a good career, with 5,253 yards and 52 touchdowns in seven seasons. He didn’t fit the Jets’ rebuilding plan, so he was cut loose. Assuming Decker is healthy again, some team will get a nice addition right as the summer starts.
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Frank Schwab is the editor of Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at shutdown.corner@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
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