NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Jets have agreed to terms with former Denver Broncos wide receiver Eric Decker, considered by many the top free agent at his position.

Decker spent all day Wednesday at the Jets’ facility and had dinner with a contingent of team officials, including coach Rex Ryan. He gives quarterback Geno Smith and the offense a sorely needed playmaker and No. 1-type wide receiver.

The Jets on Monday cut talented but oft-injured wide receiver Santonio Holmes after four seasons. The move saved the Jets $8.25 million, and Holmes was also scheduled to have a $10.75 million cap number, a lofty total for a one-time Super Bowl MVP who has struggled with inconsistency the last two seasons. He turned 30 last week.

The Jets get a rising star in Decker, who last season combined with Demaryius Thomas as the most prolific receiving tandem (2,718 yards) in the league, meshing with Peyton Manning all year. The 6-foot-3, 214-pound Decker, who’ll be 27 on Saturday, set career highs with 87 catches and 1,288 yards receiving to go along with 11 touchdowns. He had 85 receptions for 1,064 yards and a career-best 13 TDs in 2012.

Getting a top receiver was a priority as the Jets headed into free agency, especially after parting with Holmes.

Decker emerged late last season, with a four-touchdown breakout at Kansas City on Dec. 1. Until then, the only starring role Decker enjoyed with the Broncos had come in his reality TV show about his wedding to country and pop singer Jessie James.

He was in the final year of the contract he signed as a rookie four years ago with no extension in hand. He ended December with eight touchdowns for the Broncos, a triumph of sorts for a player who had contended with a balky shoulder and endless comparisons to teammates Thomas, Wes Welker and Julius Thomas. The slump-busting performance against the Chiefs did wonders for him as the Broncos advanced to the Super Bowl.

Also Wednesday, the Jets agreed to terms with former Seattle Seahawks right tackle Breno Giacomini, quickly finding a replacement for Austin Howard.

The Jets re-signed backup defensive lineman Leger Douzable to a one-year deal, too.

Giacomini missed seven games with a knee injury last season for Seattle, but was back in time for the Seahawks’ run to their Super Bowl title against Denver. The 6-foot-7, 318-pound Giacomini will replace Howard, who signed with Oakland as a free agent after starting every game the last two seasons. Giacomini was a fifth-round pick in 2008 of Green Bay, where he spent three seasons before spending the last three with Seattle.

Douzable signed with New York as a free agent last offseason and had 20 tackles and a career-high 1 1/2 sacks.

The Jets earlier released cornerback Antonio Cromartie, clearing $17.75 million of salary cap space. New York could also save another $8.3 million if they cut quarterback Mark Sanchez, who missed last season with a shoulder injury.

Broncos, DeMarcus Ware agree to deal

By PAT GRAHAM

AP Sports Writer

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — DeMarcus Ware boarded the plane for Denver on Wednesday morning, looked in the row across from him and saw a sleeping Aqib Talib.

Yep, the Broncos mean business.

Before Ware even had a chance to sit down with Broncos boss John Elway, he saw exactly how serious the team was about fixing its defense.

Ware became Denver’s latest defensive addition in free agency, agreeing to a three-year, $30 million deal. That’s $110 million ”“ $60 million guaranteed ”“ for Ware, safety T.J. Ward and Talib, the last two of whom signed Tuesday.

“They’re trying to make a statement ”“ a statement we’re a team to be reckoned with,” the 31-year-old Ware said. “Their mentality is a ”˜now’ mentality. Not looking forward to next season or the season after that, the time is now.”

Out of work less than 24 hours, Ware wasn’t fully intending to agree to a deal right away with Denver when he flew into town. But he was persuaded by Elway, the Hall of Fame quarterback turned executive who stressed to Ware the Broncos’ commitment to defense even with a prolific offense led by Peyton Manning.

Elway got his man ”“ again. He did so two years ago with Manning and last offseason with Wes Welker.

It’s really no surprise the Broncos are concentrating on defense in the wake of a 43-8 loss to Seattle in the Super Bowl last month. Ward thinks the trio of new players brings not only leadership but a level of physicality to the field. Denver’s defense surrendered nearly 25 points a game last season, which was 22nd in the league.

“I think you see with Seattle’s defense last year ”“ definitely defense wins championships,” Ward said. “(Ware and Talib) are two great players. I’m eager to get to work with them. I don’t know them personally yet, but I know what they do on the field. Those are two players I admire. I think we’ll work well together.”