The New York Jets need a No. 1 wide receiver. They needed one last season, but instead put all of their eggs in the Santonio Holmes basket that never worked out. Now, Holmes is officially gone and the Jets are in desperate need of help for quarterback Geno Smith or whomever John Idzik decides starts under center. With several big names now on the market, who is New York favoring?
According to NFL Network's Kimberly Jones and Ian Rapoport, Eric Decker is set to pay a visit to the Big Apple. The former Denver Broncos wide receiver is scheduled to meet with team officials on Wednesday about a possible contract. Decker would immediately become the team's top receiver considering the lack of talent the currently possess. Decker has stated from the start that he wants to be paid like a No. 1 guy and New York could give him that.
Decker excelled last season thanks to the arm of Peyton Manning, but can he do the same with Geno Smith? Last season Decker put up 1,288 yards and 11 touchdowns in Denver's pick-your-poison offense. Going to New York will certainly be a big change considering Smith is nowhere near what Manning is. The wide receiver will be relied on heavily and expected to display No. 1 talent.
The Jets appear to be favoring Decker over other available options like Emmanuel Sanders or Julian Edelman. All three receivers have similar numbers and years of experience, but Decker helped the Broncos reach the Super Bowl so his stock is currently higher. Several teams are looking for a No. 1 threat on the receiving corps so the Jets would be wise to get a deal done quickly for Decker before they have to look at their second or third choices.
The Cleveland Browns have announced their plans to target a wide receiver. The Browns might have the upperhand with money, but they do not have a quarterback at the moment that would sway a wide receiver to sign with them. With Brandon Weeden likely out and a rookie coming in, there is nothing to push Decker Cleveland's way. Smith certainly is not much better, but no one is Manning so the receiver will be downgrading no matter what. Expect the Jets to be aggressive with negotiations to get Decker off the market quickly.
