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Big Ten rankings: Eric Decker, No. 10

The Big Ten postseason player rankings, based on past performance and future potential, continue with ...

No. 10

Eric Decker, WR, Minnesota, Sr., 6-2, 220

Preseason rank: 3

DeckerDeckerWhy he's here: Decker was the Big Ten's best offensive player through the month of September, and he might have been the nation's best wide receiver, too. After two solid seasons as a starter, he finally got some much-deserved national recognition after monster performances against Syracuse, Air Force and Cal. Decker eclipsed 100 receiving yards in four of his first five games and hauled in five touchdowns during the span. His production dipped a bit during October, and he suffered a season-ending foot injury Oct. 24 against Ohio State.

If Decker played a full season, he almost certainly would have ended up in the top five of the rankings. Even after his injury, he still earned first-team All-Big Ten honors from the Big Ten coaches, the ultimate sign of respect. The record-setting Decker will go down as quite possibly the greatest wide receiver in Minnesota history. Decker's NFL prospects are hazy, as he'll undergo another surgery March 15 and won't be able to run until June. If he can recapture the form he showed before the injury, he'll be a valuable asset as a slot receiver at the next level.

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