Miami Dolphins should not trade up for DeVante Parker

The Miami Dolphins seem intent on giving franchise quarterback Ryan Tannehill the best possible chance at taking this team on a playoff run at some point in the near future, as they are stocking up their offense with weapons after their wide receiver corps badly underperformed last year thanks to flops from Brian Hartline and Brandon Gibson, Those guys, along with traded WR Mike Wallace and poached TE Charles Clay, are gone and replaced with Jordan Cameron, Kenny Stills, and recently-signed veteran Greg Jennings.

With second-year stud Jarvis Landry headlining the Dolphins group of pass-catchers, Tannehill is in good hands in the near future. That said, the Dolphins decision to sign Jennings and give him $4 million in guaranteed money on a two-year deal hasn’t stopped them from flirting with wide receiver prospects, and they’ve been as heavily linked to DeVante Parker as they have been to ace running back prospect Todd Gurley, who is actually the No. 1 prospect on one team’s board (perhaps Miami’s?)

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CBS Sports’s Jason La Canfora recently turned our attention from Gurley to Parker as it relates to the Dolphins, reporting that the organization is “very interested” in trading up for Teddy Bridgewater‘s former go-to guy. Of course, that’s assuming he doesn’t end up being drafted by the Minnesota Vikings, who could replace Jennings with Parker as Bridgewater’s best chain-moving receiver.

Since the Vikings are picking at No. 11 and could be seen as an ideal landing spot for Parker, the Dolphins could feel to trade up to the tenth spot. And, lo and behold, La Canfora reports that the St. Louis Rams, who have the tenth overall pick, are a “natural match” in a trade for the Dolphins. In fact, La Canfora adds that the Rams are, unsurprisingly, one of the teams with interest in trading down this year.

I think Parker is an excellent wide receiver prospect who can immediately be a strong No. 2 receiver due to his fine route-running chops and ability to win at the catch point. He’s an ideal possession receiver, and I could see a team like the WR-needy Kansas City Chiefs trading up for him, as Peter King reported that the organization “love[s]” him.

It’s unsurprising to see that the Dolphins feel the same way about the 6’3″, 209-pound wideout, who will likely be gone in the top 12. I just don’t see the logic in trading up for him, because it’s not like they have a huge need at WR. I mean, that’s why they traded a third-round pick for Stills (and Dannell Ellerbe, but we all know they would have cut him anyway) and went out and signed Jennings to a two-year deal, right? And it’s also why they signed Cameron even before the Buffalo Bills gave Clay a contract offer in restricted free agency.

The Miami Dolphins are fixated on helping Tannehill, but perhaps it would be wider to add some breadth to their roster instead of loading up on pass-catchers. Yes, Parker would most directly help Tannehill and would be an excellent fit for him in the intermediate game with his size, body control, and athletic ability (he’s an ideal “West Coast” receiver), but Gurley would help Tannehill. A cornerback would help Tannehill. In short, having a better team would help their quarterback more, because having a good defense can ease pressure off of a QB and having an elite running game can have the same effect.

Trading up for Parker just isn’t worth it, especially for a team that is lacking a third-round pick because of their wise decision to trade for Stills, who was an explosive standout in limited snaps with the New Orleans Saints in his first two seasons. I think the Dolphins should look at wide receivers later on in the draft in order to find an explosive young guy with upside, but why would they prioritize the position so much after drafting Landry last year and signing Jennings recently to be a safety valve?

Sep 14, 2013; Lexington, KY, USA; Louisville Cardinals wide receiver DeVante Parker (9) lines up during the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Commonwealth Stadium. Louisville defeated Kentucky 27-13. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

If Parker falls to the Dolphins at 14, then maybe they should strongly consider picking him up. He’d be worth selecting at No. 14, because, due to the depth at the position, that’s where his draft value actually lies.

Parker should be a very good receiver in the NFL and could easily develop into a No. 1 guy, but the Dolphins have bigger needs. I mean, do they really want to waltz into the season with Will Davis, Jamar Taylor, and Brice McCain as their only cornerbacks behind Brent Grimes?

I just don’t see the Dolphins moving up for Parker, because even standing pat and taking Parker at No. 14 isn’t a guaranteed scenario given the team’s other needs. If he falls to them at No. 14 ,then they’ll most likely snap him up.

But if they trade up, they’ll likely be faced with trading a second-round pick on top of the 14th overall selection, and that’s just not worth it for a wide receiver when the Dolphins already have three fine wideouts.

There’s enough depth in this draft for them to wait on the position, because it’s honestly a low priority with Stills and Jennings now in the fold.

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