By drafting DeVante Parker, the Miami Dolphins now have one of the best young 1-2 punches at the wide receiver position with Parker and Jarvis Landry.
2015 will be the fourth year of Ryan Tannehill’s career. That said, this will be his evaluation year. In his career, Tannehill has shown flashes of the quarterback he can be. However, inconsistencies and really a lack of talent on the Miami Dolphins’ roster has handcuffed Tannehill. Despite that, those flashes were enough for the Dolphins to take on his team option for the 2016 season, where he will make just over a $15 million a year. That’s a lot of confidence in a guy who has yet to make the playoffs.
More from Miami Dolphins
- Miami Dolphins: Jalen Ramsey’s injury not a huge set-back
- Dolphins could turn to other Vic Fangio favorites after Jalen Ramsey injury
- 2023 NFL Season: Evaluation 3 darkhorse MVP candidates
- Vikings to release Cook, Broncos, Dolphins to have interest
- Miami Dolphins: Which Jalen Ramsey will fans see in 2023?
However, the Dolphins are a team that is on the rise. They added the big fish in free agency this offseason in Ndamukong Suh. That addition alone will make the Dolphins’ entire defense better. That’s the impact he can make on a defense. Over the offseason, the Dolphins got rid of Mike Wallace. He was their top receiver in 2014, but by drafting a guy like DeVante Parker, the Dolphins really won’t miss Wallace at all.
After adding Parker, the Dolphins now have a young, but impactful receiving group in Parker, Jarvis Landry, and Kenny Stills. In Joe Philbin’s offensive scheme, Landry will likely be the No. 1 receiver, or the “x” receiver. Parker will be the “y” receiver in his rookie year, but he has the talent and the potential to become an impactful No. 1 receiver in just a few years. Stills will be the deep-ball receiver, as his ability to take the top off the defense is something defenses have to key in on.
At 6-foot-3, 210 pounds, Parker has the size to be successful in the NFL. To go with his size, he also has speed, as is the case by his 4.30 40-yard dash time. Parker will need to add around 10 pounds of muscle before the season starts, but an offseason training program and an NFL weight room will help him do just that.
Similarly to Amari Cooper, Parker has excellent body control. This ability allows him to track the football in the air with ease. Parker can make plays at each level of the defense. He’s extremely quick and he’s difficult to bring down. Parker is dangerous in the open field and if he draws No. 2 cornerbacks in the NFL, he will have the opportunity to make some defensive backs pay. His hands are also extremely reliable. It’s rare to see any drops out of Parker.
Tannehill has a tendency to throw near, but not at his receivers. With his catch-radius, Parker has the ability to make circus catches. His long arms allow him to go up in the air, find the football, and come down with it. That being said, Parker will be used especially well in the red-zone.
With receivers like Parker, Landry, and Stills, as well as a top-tier tight end like Jordan Cameron, Tannehill now has some weapons around him. Knowing this, there are no more excuses for Tannehill. With his weapons, it’s officially put-up or shut-up time for Tannehill
Next: Miami Dolphins Seven-Round Mock Draft
More from NFL Spin Zone
- Dallas Cowboys made the trade everyone else should have made
- Pittsburgh Steelers rookie sleeper everyone should be talking about
- Anthony Richardson putting jaw-dropping talent on display immediately
- Denver Broncos’ stud wide receiver might be out for a while
- Washington Commanders: Three takeaways from win over Ravens