shining in camp

Broncos WR Eric Decker has been the star of training camp so far.  "You could see as [last] season went on he got a lot of production, and now he has just taken off," HC John Fox said.  "I'm expecting big things from him."  As a rookie last year, Decker went catch-less through the first 10 games.  He hauled in 6 balls for 106 yards and a score in the final 6.  He reportedly spent extra time this offseason working with QB Kyle Orton, and it seems to be paying off.  Decker has been lining up both in the slot and on the outside in camp.  We like him to eventually pass WR Eddie Royal in the pecking order this season.  For more on Decker, check out our Sleepers article.

Patriots WR Eric Decker announced his retirement Sunday via an Instagram post. There had been rumors recently of Decker being unlikely to make the final roster. His announcement continues to clear out a once-crowded WR corps. New England previously dumped WRs Malcolm Mitchell and Kenny Britt and waived/injured WR Jordan Matthews. Without Decker, the regular-season roster locks look like Chris Hogan, Julian Edelman, Phillip Dorsett, Matthew Slater and Cordarrelle Patterson -- with Riley McCarron and Braxton Berrios as wild cards. Slater and Patterson gain real-life value for their special-team contributions. Patterson and Dorsett look like the late-round WR fliers in current fantasy football drafts.

Andy Hart of the Patriots' website calls WR Eric Decker "far from a lock to make the roster," adding that "the veteran still doesn't seem comfortable." Of course, you can still take a late shot on Decker in fantasy football drafts this weekend if you'd like, in a WR corps that will miss Julian Edelman for the 1st 4 weeks. But Phillip Dorsett and Cordarrelle Patterson are better bets to make the final roster if you're looking for a late upside pick.

The Patriots have signed WR Eric Decker. The 31-year-old is clearly past his prime, averaging just 10.4 yards per catch in Tennessee last year. But he was still a reliable possession receiver, hauling in 65.1% of his targets. He finished a decent 48th among 116 WRs in Pro Football Focus' 2017 receiving grades. "Decent" is all Decker needs to be to have a shot at early-season fantasy value in New England. He'll compete with Kenny Britt, Phillip Dorsett and Cordarrelle Patterson for snaps behind Chris Hogan while Julian Edelman serves his 4-game suspension.

Titans WR Eric Decker will miss the team's 3rd preseason game with an ankle injury, HC Mike Mularkey said. It's not ideal for a guy coming off an injury-wrecked season and settling into a new offense, but we've heard nothing to suggest that Decker is in danger of missing the start of the regular season. He's fine to draft as a WR3 at his 9th-round ADP.

The Titans have agreed to a 1-year deal with WR Eric Decker. The former Jet gives QB Marcus Mariota a talented, steady veteran presence. Decker shouldn't keep Corey Davis from reaching the top of the WR depth chart if the rookie proves ready to do so, but he'll cut into the available targets and certainly make it tough for Rishard Matthews to deliver another fantasy-starter line. Decker could also block 3rd-round WR Taywan Taylor from turning into a fantasy surprise this season. We'll see this summer just how healthy Decker is coming off groin and shoulder surgeries at the end of last year. But he reportedly looked good in Jets OTAs before his release. Another receiving weapon makes Mariota even more attractive around the fringe of QB1 territory in fantasy football drafts.