DeVante Parker is a big problem for the Miami Dolphins
By Brian Miller
There are no answers for the DeVante Parker problem that the Miami Dolphins have. They can’t simply move on but they can’t rely on him either.
Another weekend without wide-receiver DeVante Parker and more questions after he misses his third game of the season. Parker would not have made a difference on Sunday as teams don’t prepare to take him out of games. Parker does that on his own.
Last week against the Oakland Raiders, Parker made his 2018 debut. His first reception was a long catch from Ryan Tannehill and he defiantly jumped off the ground and slammed the ball down as if to say “Take that!” to the media and fans who have doubted him. He caught one more pass on the day and once again found himself inactive a week later.
This time around it is a quad injury that kept him out of the Patriots week four match-up and there is no guarantee that he will play this week in Cincinnati. Parker has spent more time nursing injuries than he has on the football field. He has all the talent you look for in a receiver. Size, great hands, a solid route runner, but his body has other plans and the Dolphins should start making plans of their own.
There is no trade value for DeVante Parker. At best the Dolphins could get a conditional late round pick or maybe an offensive lineman that would add depth. They won’t find a starter anywhere in the NFL. Parker’s talent is there but he can’t be relied upon and in games, he simply isn’t a go-to figure when he is healthy.
The Dolphins picked up his 5th year option for 2019. It’s guaranteed only for injury. If the Dolphins were smart they would get Parker healthy and rescing that option immediately. More than likely he will be injured. If he isn’t, he isn’t likely to draw much interest on the open market at a salary that he would normally command if he could stay on the field.
More from Phin Phanatic
- Tua Tagovailoa practicing with teammates is everything a leader does
- 4 offensive tackles Miami Dolphins could draft at 51
- Miami Dolphins don’t need CB help but these 5 could be available at 51
- 4 players that could replace Wilkins if Miami Dolphins don’t re-sign him
- Miami Dolphins have a starting point with Wilkins after Simmons deal
There is still time for Parker but in reality there is not. Four games into a 16 game season and Parker has seen one day of action and produced very little. He doesn’t like being dogged by the media or the fans or anyone else but he has yet to prove anyone wrong.
Miami keeps believing in him. They almost have to. Rewind your memory to the 2015 NFL Draft and revisit the Miami Dolphins “war-room”. Stephen Ross was thrilled. Mike Tannenbaum was thrilled. Then general manager Dennis Hickey was thrilled. Across the face of then head coach Joe Philbin, high-fives were given but Philbin sat quietly barely breaking a smile. Almost as if he didn’t want the receiver. Maybe he didn’t and if he didn’t then he was the only one in the room who was right.
The biggest knock on Parker coming out of college was that he didn’t play physical and injuries were a bit of a concern. Still most NFL scouts believed he was a first round talent. WalterFootball.com had this to say.
"Parker could end up being a No. 1 receiver, but he doesn’t look like he has the skill set to be one of the league’s elites like Calvin Johnson, A.J. Green, Dez Bryant, Julio Jones or Jordy Nelson."
Parker is nowhere near the talent of those receivers. His talent is unrealized. Parker may very well have injuries that prevent him from producing and we will never know if these injuries are the kinds he could play through. If he can, we are not seeing it on the field.
Again, there isn’t much the Dolphins can hope for right now. The best option is to rescind the 2019 option and let this season play out. Maybe with less comfort for the 2019 season Parker will step up but for now, he is just another injury waiting to happen.