Emerging Talents: WR Eric Decker (1 Viewer)

[Matt Waldman]

Analysis of Eric Decker

 

[sihaokills]

Great stuff man... Going to target him now lol

 

[anakin]

Another homerun bud!

 

[BeTheMatch]

He's a Hines Ward clone. Love him.

 

[orangecrush15]

Great analysis Matt! Decker is one of my favorite Broncos, and my biggest sleeper this year for many of the reasons you mentioned regarding his skill set.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Heya Matt, do you mean 'starter' in the way that Jason Avant or Jordy Nelson are starters? Or do you mean someone that you need to own on your FF team because he's going to consistently put up positive VBD at some point in his career?

 

[Matt Waldman]

I mean future starter as in top-24 at his position in fantasy leagues. This year might be more Jason Avant-Jordy Nelson, but I think that's a worst case scenario. Things that might fuel a worst case scenario:

1) Orton regresses and Broncos don't insert Tebow because they don't think he's ready for a non-gimmick offense.

2) Tebow gets forced into action when he's not truly read for a non-gimmick offense.

3) Two of the three get hurt: Jabbar Gaffney, Eddie Royal, and Brandon Lloyd.

I think he'll have a good chance to be a top 48 player (WR position rankings) this year.

 

[LHUCKS]

wouldn't touch him this year in redrafts

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Thanks Matt, appreciate the reply though I don't agree. I do think he's a solid guy - but more along the lines of the WRs I mentioned earlier than a FF WR2 type. IMO he just doesn't do anything special enough to be a top WR in the NFL.

But like you said recently - you just never know! Will be interesting to see how it plays out.

 

[Matt Waldman]

Thanks Matt, appreciate the reply though I don't agree. I do think he's a solid guy - but more along the lines of the WRs I mentioned earlier than a FF WR2 type. IMO he just doesn't do anything special enough to be a top WR in the NFL. But like you said recently - you just never know! Will be interesting to see how it plays out.

This is the best part of the game - seeing where your opinion on a player takes you. There's a player I'm going to feature in the next post on the blog who I'm sure I'll get far more people disagreeing with me. But Dave Razzano, who was a scout with the 49ers during their dynasty era and his dad was major part of scouting for them as well, really likes this guy. He read my report on him from the RSP and commented that he was known for his track record with the position this guy plays and he liked this guy a lot, and he was glad that I saw what I saw in him. When you see who this guy is on Thursday-Friday, you'll understand. While I'm teasing this purposely, I'm not choosing this player as a blog feature to be controversial - I just see that the guy has skills and as long as he's retained them and continued to improve behind the scenes he shouldn't be written off before he even gets a real chance.

 

[identikit]

Thanks Matt, appreciate the reply though I don't agree. I do think he's a solid guy - but more along the lines of the WRs I mentioned earlier than a FF WR2 type. IMO he just doesn't do anything special enough to be a top WR in the NFL.

But like you said recently - you just never know! Will be interesting to see how it plays out.

This is the best part of the game - seeing where your opinion on a player takes you. There's a player I'm going to feature in the next post on the blog who I'm sure I'll get far more people disagreeing with me. But Dave Razzano, who was a scout with the 49ers during their dynasty era and his dad was major part of scouting for them as well, really likes this guy. He read my report on him from the RSP and commented that he was known for his track record with the position this guy plays and he liked this guy a lot, and he was glad that I saw what I saw in him.

When you see who this guy is on Thursday-Friday, you'll understand. While I'm teasing this purposely, I'm not choosing this player as a blog feature to be controversial - I just see that the guy has skills and as long as he's retained them and continued to improve behind the scenes he shouldn't be written off before he even gets a real chance.

Who's writing him off? Well, besides LHUCKS...Isn't this true of a large percentage of young players in the NFL?

 

[Matt Waldman]

Thanks Matt, appreciate the reply though I don't agree. I do think he's a solid guy - but more along the lines of the WRs I mentioned earlier than a FF WR2 type. IMO he just doesn't do anything special enough to be a top WR in the NFL.

But like you said recently - you just never know! Will be interesting to see how it plays out.

This is the best part of the game - seeing where your opinion on a player takes you. There's a player I'm going to feature in the next post on the blog who I'm sure I'll get far more people disagreeing with me. But Dave Razzano, who was a scout with the 49ers during their dynasty era and his dad was major part of scouting for them as well, really likes this guy. He read my report on him from the RSP and commented that he was known for his track record with the position this guy plays and he liked this guy a lot, and he was glad that I saw what I saw in him.

When you see who this guy is on Thursday-Friday, you'll understand. While I'm teasing this purposely, I'm not choosing this player as a blog feature to be controversial - I just see that the guy has skills and as long as he's retained them and continued to improve behind the scenes he shouldn't be written off before he even gets a real chance.

Who's writing him off? Well, besides LHUCKS...Isn't this true of a large percentage of young players in the NFL?

Not Decker, the guy I'm going to profile later this week.

 

[identikit]

Thanks Matt, appreciate the reply though I don't agree. I do think he's a solid guy - but more along the lines of the WRs I mentioned earlier than a FF WR2 type. IMO he just doesn't do anything special enough to be a top WR in the NFL.

But like you said recently - you just never know! Will be interesting to see how it plays out.

This is the best part of the game - seeing where your opinion on a player takes you. There's a player I'm going to feature in the next post on the blog who I'm sure I'll get far more people disagreeing with me. But Dave Razzano, who was a scout with the 49ers during their dynasty era and his dad was major part of scouting for them as well, really likes this guy. He read my report on him from the RSP and commented that he was known for his track record with the position this guy plays and he liked this guy a lot, and he was glad that I saw what I saw in him.

When you see who this guy is on Thursday-Friday, you'll understand. While I'm teasing this purposely, I'm not choosing this player as a blog feature to be controversial - I just see that the guy has skills and as long as he's retained them and continued to improve behind the scenes he shouldn't be written off before he even gets a real chance.

Who's writing him off? Well, besides LHUCKS...Isn't this true of a large percentage of young players in the NFL?

Not Decker, the guy I'm going to profile later this week.

What I'm saying is that your bolded statement is true of a very large percentage of young players. It shows nothing unique about Decker over a lot of other prospects. He has a chance, just like a bunch of other wr's.

 

[Hoss_Cartwright]

I really like Decker's chances in dynasty leagues. I live in Minnesota and had a chance to see a lot of him in college and feel his talent is real and I love his size and hands.

 

[Mike]

Thanks Matt, appreciate the reply though I don't agree. I do think he's a solid guy - but more along the lines of the WRs I mentioned earlier than a FF WR2 type. IMO he just doesn't do anything special enough to be a top WR in the NFL. But like you said recently - you just never know! Will be interesting to see how it plays out.

This is the best part of the game - seeing where your opinion on a player takes you. There's a player I'm going to feature in the next post on the blog who I'm sure I'll get far more people disagreeing with me. But Dave Razzano, who was a scout with the 49ers during their dynasty era and his dad was major part of scouting for them as well, really likes this guy. He read my report on him from the RSP and commented that he was known for his track record with the position this guy plays and he liked this guy a lot, and he was glad that I saw what I saw in him. When you see who this guy is on Thursday-Friday, you'll understand. While I'm teasing this purposely, I'm not choosing this player as a blog feature to be controversial - I just see that the guy has skills and as long as he's retained them and continued to improve behind the scenes he shouldn't be written off before he even gets a real chance.

Jason Hill? From which year RSP?

 

[Matt Waldman]

Thanks Matt, appreciate the reply though I don't agree. I do think he's a solid guy - but more along the lines of the WRs I mentioned earlier than a FF WR2 type. IMO he just doesn't do anything special enough to be a top WR in the NFL.

But like you said recently - you just never know! Will be interesting to see how it plays out.

This is the best part of the game - seeing where your opinion on a player takes you. There's a player I'm going to feature in the next post on the blog who I'm sure I'll get far more people disagreeing with me. But Dave Razzano, who was a scout with the 49ers during their dynasty era and his dad was major part of scouting for them as well, really likes this guy. He read my report on him from the RSP and commented that he was known for his track record with the position this guy plays and he liked this guy a lot, and he was glad that I saw what I saw in him.

When you see who this guy is on Thursday-Friday, you'll understand. While I'm teasing this purposely, I'm not choosing this player as a blog feature to be controversial - I just see that the guy has skills and as long as he's retained them and continued to improve behind the scenes he shouldn't be written off before he even gets a real chance.

Who's writing him off? Well, besides LHUCKS...Isn't this true of a large percentage of young players in the NFL?

Not Decker, the guy I'm going to profile later this week.

What I'm saying is that your bolded statement is true of a very large percentage of young players. It shows nothing unique about Decker over a lot of other prospects. He has a chance, just like a bunch of other wr's.

Yes, you're right - your generalization is absolutely correct. However the specifics about the player are what people want to know to help them make decisions.

 

[Matt Waldman]

Thanks Matt, appreciate the reply though I don't agree. I do think he's a solid guy - but more along the lines of the WRs I mentioned earlier than a FF WR2 type. IMO he just doesn't do anything special enough to be a top WR in the NFL. But like you said recently - you just never know! Will be interesting to see how it plays out.

This is the best part of the game - seeing where your opinion on a player takes you. There's a player I'm going to feature in the next post on the blog who I'm sure I'll get far more people disagreeing with me. But Dave Razzano, who was a scout with the 49ers during their dynasty era and his dad was major part of scouting for them as well, really likes this guy. He read my report on him from the RSP and commented that he was known for his track record with the position this guy plays and he liked this guy a lot, and he was glad that I saw what I saw in him. When you see who this guy is on Thursday-Friday, you'll understand. While I'm teasing this purposely, I'm not choosing this player as a blog feature to be controversial - I just see that the guy has skills and as long as he's retained them and continued to improve behind the scenes he shouldn't be written off before he even gets a real chance.

Jason Hill? From which year RSP?

Had a good Canada Day Mike? Not Hill. Not even Bernard BerriaM or David PatteRn

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

1. John Fox is in charge in Denver. He loves to run the ball.

2. Tim Tebow appears to be the QB and he isn't the most accurate guy in the world.

3. Even if Decker can emerge into a starting spot amongst Lloyd, Thomas, Royal, and Gaffney how many balls and chances will he really get?

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

IIRC Razzano said that Jake Locker reminded him of Brett Favre. Given the stick Locker's taken already I'm pretty sure that's who you're talking about?

And you're right about the disagree part - he's being completely bypassed in a lot of dynasty drafts despite being drafted #8. I also think he's going to be awful, but he's so mobile he'll at least make it kind of fun.

 

[Matt Waldman]

1. John Fox is in charge in Denver. He loves to run the ball.2. Tim Tebow appears to be the QB and he isn't the most accurate guy in the world.3. Even if Decker can emerge into a starting spot amongst Lloyd, Thomas, Royal, and Gaffney how many balls and chances will he really get?

1. Fox had two 1000-yard receivers in Steve Smith and Muhsin Muhammad. 2. We'll see if they start with Tebow. However, if they do - accuracy is easier from shorter distances. Decker is the most versatile route runner on that team. Lloyd is a perimeter player. Thomas is a perimeter player. Royal couldn't read zone from man. Gaffney is a limited possession guy. Decker can get deep, play over the middle, and discern man from zone. That makes him more of a security blanket. 3. If Decker starts, then he'll get enough chances to be a top 48 receiver this year. Considering there are 32 teams with 32 starting receivers, I'd say his chances of top 48 production are pretty good even with a quarterback people don't like as a fantasy starter. I'd also like to get Wdcrob's analysis on Decker in terms of how he's similar to Jordy Nelson and Jason Avant. I'm not being sarcastic. I'd like to hear what he sees that gives him a different opinion. BTW-you guessed wrong about the player. It's not Locker.

 

[Dragon1952]

I've got Decker stashed on a bunch of teams and figured I'd start getting an offer or two after seeing this thread yesterday. Got my first offer today so I'm assuming someone likes your analysis

 

[Faust]

1. John Fox is in charge in Denver. He loves to run the ball.2. Tim Tebow appears to be the QB and he isn't the most accurate guy in the world.3. Even if Decker can emerge into a starting spot amongst Lloyd, Thomas, Royal, and Gaffney how many balls and chances will he really get?

1. Fox has had talented WR playmakers and has had decent passing attacks in some previous years, so while he likes to run the ball he knows how to utilize his veteran players that he trusts. He does have a tendency to lean more towards proven vets vs. rookies and inexperienced players, so the key part here is how quickly can Decker earn his trust?2. The uncertain QB situation and the development of Tebow is a huge concern, so I will agree here.3. Lloyd could easily be a one-year wonder, and even if he isn't a one-year wonder, he is 30. Thomas had a major injury that will hold him back from returning to the field and being effective right away. Royal has been a disappointment after his breakout rookie year and seems more suited to a slot/3rd WR role. Gaffney is a career journeyman. I think Decker actually has a very good opportunity for fantasy relevant playing time competing against a very raw and pedestrian bunch of WRs

 

[Mike]

Jason Hill? From which year RSP?

Had a good Canada Day Mike? Not Hill. Not even Bernard BerriaM or David PatteRn

Quite good, thanks. Let us never speak about Berriam again

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

1. John Fox is in charge in Denver. He loves to run the ball.2. Tim Tebow appears to be the QB and he isn't the most accurate guy in the world.3. Even if Decker can emerge into a starting spot amongst Lloyd, Thomas, Royal, and Gaffney how many balls and chances will he really get?

1. Fox had two 1000-yard receivers in Steve Smith and Muhsin Muhammad. 2. We'll see if they start with Tebow. However, if they do - accuracy is easier from shorter distances. Decker is the most versatile route runner on that team. Lloyd is a perimeter player. Thomas is a perimeter player. Royal couldn't read zone from man. Gaffney is a limited possession guy. Decker can get deep, play over the middle, and discern man from zone. That makes him more of a security blanket. 3. If Decker starts, then he'll get enough chances to be a top 48 receiver this year. Considering there are 32 teams with 32 starting receivers, I'd say his chances of top 48 production are pretty good even with a quarterback people don't like as a fantasy starter. I'd also like to get Wdcrob's analysis on Decker in terms of how he's similar to Jordy Nelson and Jason Avant. I'm not being sarcastic. I'd like to hear what he sees that gives him a different opinion. BTW-you guessed wrong about the player. It's not Locker.

1. Let's examine those numbers more closely. Fox has been a head coach for 9 years. His receivers have gone over 1,000 yards six times in nine years. Five of those six were Steve Smith. Eric Decker isn't in Steve Smith's universe as a player. The other time was Muhsin Muhammad's steroid video game season, which coincided with Smith being out for most of that season. Muhammad hit 923 yards in another season and no other receiver under Fox's watch has even hit 850 yards. If this were Orton and McDaniels I would be fully on board with the Decker hype. But with Tebow and Fox, I'm not buying. I can see Brandon Lloyd having a decent season but the rest of those guys are blah.

 

[Matt Waldman]

1. John Fox is in charge in Denver. He loves to run the ball.2. Tim Tebow appears to be the QB and he isn't the most accurate guy in the world.3. Even if Decker can emerge into a starting spot amongst Lloyd, Thomas, Royal, and Gaffney how many balls and chances will he really get?

1. Fox had two 1000-yard receivers in Steve Smith and Muhsin Muhammad. 2. We'll see if they start with Tebow. However, if they do - accuracy is easier from shorter distances. Decker is the most versatile route runner on that team. Lloyd is a perimeter player. Thomas is a perimeter player. Royal couldn't read zone from man. Gaffney is a limited possession guy. Decker can get deep, play over the middle, and discern man from zone. That makes him more of a security blanket. 3. If Decker starts, then he'll get enough chances to be a top 48 receiver this year. Considering there are 32 teams with 32 starting receivers, I'd say his chances of top 48 production are pretty good even with a quarterback people don't like as a fantasy starter. I'd also like to get Wdcrob's analysis on Decker in terms of how he's similar to Jordy Nelson and Jason Avant. I'm not being sarcastic. I'd like to hear what he sees that gives him a different opinion. BTW-you guessed wrong about the player. It's not Locker.

1. Let's examine those numbers more closely. Fox has been a head coach for 9 years. His receivers have gone over 1,000 yards six times in nine years. Five of those six were Steve Smith. Eric Decker isn't in Steve Smith's universe as a player. The other time was Muhsin Muhammad's steroid video game season, which coincided with Smith being out for most of that season. Muhammad hit 923 yards in another season and no other receiver under Fox's watch has even hit 850 yards. If this were Orton and McDaniels I would be fully on board with the Decker hype. But with Tebow and Fox, I'm not buying. I can see Brandon Lloyd having a decent season but the rest of those guys are blah.

Good points. Although I would add that your take seems to be about the idea of Decker becoming a WR1 this year. However the article isn't about finding the next WR1-WR2 in 2011, but a guy who whose play shows enough promise that has people excited for 2012 and has the potential to be an NFL starter; not a top-12 fantasy receiver.

 

[Aznflyer14]

hush!!!! We need to keep a low-profile on Eric Decker. I mean, I agreed with the assessment of Decker who has a shot to be very good receiver for Broncos.

 

[Garrett]

As an opposing Big Ten fan, this guy drove me nuts. You could clearly tell that his talent was at an entirely different level than the players trying to cover him in Big Ten conference play. I really can't say for sure if this is his year in redraft, but in any dynasty format I would do whatever it takes to roster this kid.

 

[JAA]

sorry guys, he is a sell

 

[Vision6]

I saw quite a few Minnesota games when Decker was playing (sports waging purposes) and boy that guy just jumped out at you. He should've been drafted a lot higher imo . As a Raider fan I hope he doesn't pan out but that's just wishful thinking, this guy is a player. I love him in dynasty leagues.

 

[pghrob]

BTW-you guessed wrong about the player. It's not Locker.

I thought I guessed about who the next analysis article is based. I asked Matt if it was on former Ball State QB and earlier in the year Seahawk Nate Davis and he indicated that it is not.

 

[Faust]

Broncos wideout Decker catching attention and producing praise

Sure, it was just a seven-on-seven drill. But in one practice play Monday at Broncos training camp, wide receiver Eric Decker made a believer out of cornerback Champ Bailey​.

Decker, in his second NFL season, beat Bailey for a deep touchdown pass from Kyle Orton, drawing oohs and aahs from the fans watching at Dove Valley team headquarters.

Bailey laughed, saying had there been a pass rush, maybe the result would have been different. But he's clearly sold on the leap Decker has made.

Decker played in 14 games as a rookie and made six catches for 106 yards. All of his catches came in the final six games of the season, including his first touchdown in the last game.

"You can tell he's been working," Bailey said. "His confidence is there. He has made a tremendous step in the right direction."

Consider it quite the change from Decker's first training camp last year, when he arrived unsure about playing on his surgically repaired foot while fighting for snaps in a crowded field of wide receivers.

A year later, Decker is the healthiest he has been in a long time, and the Minnesota Gophers product is among the Broncos' top three wideouts, joining Brandon Lloyd​ and Eddie Royal​.

"I joked with him that it is a whole lot easier the second time around, especially when you're not nursing a toe. The combination of those things had to be hard on him," Denver coach John Fox said. "You could see as the season went on he got a lot of production, and now he has just taken off. I'm expecting big things from him."

So is Orton.

Decker flew to Denver in May to join Orton for some passing sessions before the conditioning workouts organized by safety Brian Dawkins​ and trainer Loren Landow. Orton later flew to Minnesota to join Decker for more workouts.

The quarterback and receiver clearly have developed chemistry and trust strong enough to overcome an afternoon that Decker would surely like to forget.

Decker dropped one pass and caught another outside of the end zone in the team's Aug. 6 scrimmage at Invesco Field at Mile High.

But when the Broncos' starters needed a third-down conversion in their only series of the preseason opener last week at Dallas, there was no question for Orton that Decker was his No. 1 target.

This time, Decker made the catch — good for a 29-yard gain.

"He's still making mistakes, like any young player, but he won't make the same mistake in the next practice and that's really big," Orton said. "I've told him that an outside receiver can make mistakes here and there, but when he's working inside, he needs to be perfect. I need to trust him and know that he's going to be right, because if he makes a mistake, I'm in trouble."

At 6-foot-3 and 218 pounds, Decker is the Broncos' biggest wide receiver (at least until Demaryius Thomas​ recovers from his Achilles tendon injury), yet he said he is "usually pegged as a slot guy" — the wideout who lines up inside the offensive formation and runs routes in the middle of the field. Decker is hoping, though, to prove versatile enough to also line up on the outside.

During camp, he has worked mostly as the "Z" receiver — outside when the team uses just two wide receivers and in the slot when it goes to three.

"I like to be more versatile because it gives me the ability to be on the field more," Decker said. "They are different, though. Outside is more just route running. Inside you got to know the defense, where to sit in the holes and stuff, so that's fun."

 

[loose circuits]

should have listened to this sound advice :(