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Some things are just obvious. The Eric Decker - Titans relationship was one of them. The Titans biggest need coming into this season was revamping the receiving core. Despite adding both Corey Davis and Taywan Taylor on the first two days of the draft, the Titans were still staring at Harry Douglas, Tajae Sharpe and Tre McBride looking at significant playing time.
And let’s be realistic — rookie receivers to pretty tough to project. Relying heavily on rookie pass catchers is risky business, especially for a team favored to win the AFC South by many.
Adding Decker brings a veteran presence for both Davis and Taylor to learn from while bridging the gap to the future. Instead of throwing the rookies to the wolves early, Mike Mularkey and Terry Robiskie can rely on Decker and Matthews to hold down the fort while they adjust.
We don’t know the money yet, but what does that really matter? It’s a one year deal for a veteran receiver who put up 1,000 yards and 12 touchdowns in his last full season, playing with Ryan Fitzpatrick. There’s no risk here.
How good is Jon Robinson? He took a position of weakness and turned it into a strength by injecting three new bodies. He didn’t chase big money guys like Alshon Jeffery or Terrelle Pryor Sr. Instead, the Titans end up with Corey Davis, Eric Decker and Taywan Taylor. Amazing.
Anyways, as you guys know I have no doubt that Corey Davis is going to translate to the NFL. But I’m not counting on that happening day one. It rarely does with rookie receivers.
Decker may take some snaps from Davis and Taylor, but that’s okay. The team will be better for it this season — which in the end is all that you’re worried about. Robiskie and Mularkey will be able to pick their spots early on with those two instead of throwing them out there for every snap.
By the end of the year, I’m guessing Davis establishes himself as a legitimate WR1, but why rush it? Mularkey has talked endlessly about reliability and precision out of his receivers.
I’m betting they want Davis and Taylor to really have a good understanding of the playbook and the details before they turn them loose. Eric Decker now will allow them to do just that. The Titans got better this weekend.