New York Jets Add Eric Decker, But Still More Work To Be Done

Thew New York Jets have started taking steps in the right direction in free agency. First they cleared some cap space and dead weight on the team by cutting both Antonio Cromartie and Santonio Holmes. Those moves freed up about $17.75 million for the salary cap for this season. With that being done the Jets need to work on rebuilding the secondary and giving whoever is going to be the starting quarterback weapons to throw to. They took care of one of those issues yesterday.

The Jets have come to agreement with Wide Receiver Eric Decker on a five years deal worth $36.25 million, with $15 million in guarantees, according to USA Today. Now I really do like this signing and for a number of reasons. First off is that Decker, who's only 26 years old, was the best available free agent on the market at wide receiver. Last year, Decker had 87 catches for 1,288 yards and 11 touchdowns. During his four years with the Broncos, Decker had 222 catches for 3,070 yards and 33 touchdowns. Some may argue that those numbers are a tad inflated because he had Peyton Manning throwing to him, but still you have to be a talented receiver to be able to catch all those passes.

Decker had more touchdown catches than any of the Jets receivers, Stephen Hill, Jeremy Kerley and David Nelson had combined. But that had to do with Decker playing with Peyton Manning a year ago. Still this is a needed improvement having Decker in the fold. There is still work to be done by the Jets on offense if they are to compete. Sure they have Decker and Jeremy Kerley as the top targets at receiver, so it makes for something for the Qarterback, whether its Geno Smith Mark Sanchez or somebody else, to throw to. But that won't be enough for the Jets to thrive.

They need to add one more solid receiver. i know they still have David Nelson and Stephen Hill in the mix, but I don't feel comfortable enough with that receiving core. Gang Green can add another solid receiver in the draft, possibly. Some of the names that have been thrown around that the Jets are looking at in the draft are Clemson wide receiver Sammy Watkins and USC wide receiver Marqise Lee. those guys could be a decent fit for the team, if they are still available when the Jets make their selection with the 18th pick in the draft. Also they could try and take a flyer on some of the other wide outs still on the market. Both Julian Edelman and Emmanuel Sanders are still on the market. Both guys had more than 700 yards receiving a year ago with the Patriots and Steelers respectively.

So what the Jets do with adding receiving weapons is going to take a little time to see how things play out.

But offense isn't the only area the Jets still need work on, as the secondary can use a retooling or two. Something can be done with their 18th pick in the draft to help out with Cornerbacks and Safeties but the team should also look at the market. Most of the big name free agent defensive backs are already signed. Just like they did with Ed Reed at the end of last year, the Jets may take a flyer on Champ Bailey, who could fill the same kind of role that Reed did at the end of last year. Bailey would be worth a look. Same thing can be said about former Dolphins safety Chris Clemons, who would be a good fit playing alongside Dee Millner.

Even though there is still a lot of work to be done for the Jets, they are starting to take a step in the right direction.