After the Bills missed out on Jeremy Maclin, despite being heavily recruited by running back LeSean McCoy, their receiving corps won't get a boost as another free agent receiver has signed elsewhere.
The Tennessee Titans and Eric Decker agreed to a one year deal on Sunday, providing Marcus Mariota another weapon in a re-tooled offensive attack in the Music City.
During mandatory mini camp, Bills Head Coach Sean McDermott was asked if the team would consider kicking the tires on the 30-year-old receiver.
"Well, until that comes through via the league, we can’t really discuss that – we’re always going to look. We’re always going to look to add at every position," he told reporters on Tuesday.
"Adding competition is healthy, and there’s positions that perceptually some may say ‘hey check the box, they’re good’ – well, we’re always going to look to add, even at those positions. That’s the pursuit of winning – that we have to stay hungry."
Decker, who has thrived in the slot throughout his career, would have provided an upgrade to the position.
Drafted in the third round by the Broncos in 2010, Decker had a breakout season in 2012, recording the first of his two straight 1,000 yard receiving seasons.
After signing with the New York Jets in 2014 (967 yards), he reached the 1K mark again in 2015.
Shoulder and hip injuries ended his 2016 season after three games and only 194 receiving yards.
As it stands now, Sammy Watkins remains the No. 1 option for quarterback Tyrod Taylor. Zay Jones, who Buffalo selected in the second round of this year's draft, will battle for the No. 2 job along with Andre Holmes and Philly Brown.
Brandon Tate and Dez Lewis will also battle for a spot on the depth chart alongside Walt Powell, who is suspended the first four games of the season for violating the league's policy on using performance enhancing substances.
Had Buffalo pursued and Decker he signed with the Bills, it would have signaled -- similarly if they had signed Maclin -- a commitment to winning in 2017.
Not to say they won't compete on Sundays but adding another premiere threat to use in a passing attack that ranked 28th in 2015 and 30th in 2016 would have been a welcome sight.
