Jets say WR Eric Decker will 'surprise a lot of people' with his ability to 'get deep'

Eric Decker isn't known as a deep receiver. Never has been. Sure-handed? Absolutely. Superb route runner? Definitely. Technically sound? 100 percent. But for all the things Decker is, he's not regarded as a player that can stretch the field.

The Jets, this season, are hoping to change that perception.

"You'll see more of that this year," Jets receivers coach Karl Dorrell said Wednesday. "Eric will surprise a lot of people."

"Eric can get deep," Dorrell said. "He can sneak by you and do those things."

This year, the Jets are expanding Decker's role. Anyone who attended a Jets training camp practice could tell you that.

Decker runs a 4.60 40-yard dash and isn't known as a speedster, but with his 6'3" frame he can compete for long passes downfield. He's the 24th WR off the board after finishing the season as the #10 WR. Now that Ryan Fitzpatrick is back, not much will change for the Jets and Decker was the most consistent fantasy receiver last season, posting 80-plus yards and/or a touchdown in each of his 15 games played. He's a great value in the 4th round.