Should the Dallas Cowboys sign Eric Decker?

Dec 13, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Eric Decker (87) spikes the ball in the end zone after catching a touchdown pass against the Tennessee Titans during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Eric Decker (87) spikes the ball in the end zone after catching a touchdown pass against the Tennessee Titans during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Dallas Cowboys will be evaluating their roster as training camp begins. This could mean that the team could be interested in free agent, Eric Decker.

The Dallas Cowboys are looking to add productive players to compete for depth positions as camp prep begins. This means examining all options especially veteran free agents who still have some gas left in the tank. There are several younger players who could push the veterans currently on the roster bubble for a bigger role as we head into training camp.

The Cowboys should constantly be looking for new talent especially at the wide receiving position and the recent release of Eric Decker have some analysts speculating that he will head to Dallas for the 2017 season.

Decker has been a solid wide receiver but in recent years injuries have hindered his growth. It should also be noted that he spent three seasons with the New York Jets who have had terrible quarterback play for the last couple of seasons.

Decker fared much better in Denver where he averaged around 10 touchdowns per season with the Broncos. When given a working offense, the veteran wide receiver can be very productive and even though he is coming off several surgeries he still could become a terrific addition to any offense.

The Cowboys are highly unlikely to bring in a veteran wide receiver at this time as they currently have several talented young players on the roster. Any interest in Decker would come during or after training camp if no one manages to make a solid impact besides the starting group.

There also is the question of just how many wide receivers the Cowboys will carry into the regular season. Dez Bryant, Terrance Williams, Cole Beasley, and likely Ryan Switzer likely have their position cemented on the roster, however, there may not be room for a sixth or seventh wide receiver on the 53 man roster.

The wildcards of the bunch will likely be players such as Lance Lenoir, Lucky Whitehead, Brice Butler, Andy Jones, Noah Brown, Brian Brown, and Uzoma Nwachukwu.

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They will look to make enough noise to earn a sixth/seventh spot in this high powered wide receiving corps and the most versatile player will win that battle. It seems as if Butler will get the nod heading into the season and will automatically return however that cannot be said about Whitehead who is currently battling to be the starting kick returner.

Whitehead could become expendable especially if Switzer becomes a potent NFL special teams player. Then the decision could come down to how effective a target these players can be for starting quarterback, Dak Prescott.

Noah Brown is a 6’2, 222-pound wide receiver who can battle his way to the ball. Butler had a chance to replace Bryant in the Cowboys lineup because of injury and really has not seized his opportunities.

He has shown growth but not necessarily that star quality that a younger player could possess. Brown could be the player to push Whitehead or Butler off the roster if he performs to a high level.

Adding Decker to the mix just would not make a whole lot of sense at this point especially if the team is only looking to keep one or two players out of that list. With so many talented rookies fighting to back up what is beginning to look like one of the best wide receiving corps in the league, the Cowboys may have to wait until fate forces their hand for a veteran wide receiver.

That may be the best course of action as the 30-year-old NFL vet has struggled to stay on the field and rumors that several teams are interested in pursuing him have already been shot down by the Philadelphia Eagles, Denver Broncos, and Baltimore Ravens.

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Decker will likely be available as preseason begins and he could come in handy if the Cowboys cannot find a dependable option amongst the youthful receivers they will enter camp with. Only time will tell what the veteran receiver’s future holds as preparation for the 2017 season is well under way.