NFL Spin Zone
Fansided

Miami Dolphins: DeVante Parker the critical ‘hit’, safe 2016 breakout bet

By Kevin Parvizi

Jan 3, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; New England Patriots defensive back Devin McCourty (32) moves in as Miami Dolphins wide receiver DeVante Parker (11) makes a catch this second quarter touchdown at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Innerarity-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; New England Patriots defensive back Devin McCourty (32) moves in as Miami Dolphins wide receiver DeVante Parker (11) makes a catch this second quarter touchdown at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Innerarity-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Oakland Raiders top-five selection Amari Cooper and Minnesota Vikings surprise star Stefon Diggs will soak up the most praise of the wide receivers from the 2015 NFL Draft class, but, along with Seattle Seahawks ace Tyler Lockett, Miami Dolphins No. 14 overall pick DeVante Parker has also proven to be a difference-maker for his offense.

When the Miami Dolphins plucked Parker with the 14th overall pick in the draft, some wondered why they were so aggressively adding pass-catchers after already signing Greg Jennings and TE Jordan Cameron in free agency, in addition to acquiring promising deep threat Kenny Stills from the New Orleans Saints in a trade. That said, the Dolphins avoided true criticism, because the understanding was that they were extremely high on the third-best receiver in the class.

Related Story: What are the greatest rookie seasons in NFL history?

Injury threatened to ruin Parker’s rookie season, but he more than bounced back from the missed time. After getting back into the lineup in Week 12 against the rival New York Jets, Parker proceeded to do nothing but impress in the Dolphins offense. He caught four passes for 80 yards and a TD against that tough secondary, and in his final six games of the season, Parker had just one game (a 2/16/0 dud against the New York Giants) with less than 60 receiving yards and eight fantasy points.

More from NFL Spin Zone

Rishard Matthews was the breakout star in the Dolphins offense, forming a dynamic and YAC-heavy duo with budding franchise icon Jarvis Landry, but Parker is the emerging building block. With Matthews set to hit free agency and Parker coming off of a stellar home stretch of his rookie season, it’s hard to see the ‘Fins bringing the former WR back, even if the expensive Jennings and TE Cameron are on their way out after being flops (though it was more of a case of utilization with Cameron) from the 2015 free agent class.

In Landry, Parker, and the forgotten Stills, the Dolphins could have one of the league’s best young WR trios in 2016. It’s also a balanced group, because Landry can make plays out of the slot, Parker can dominate at the catch point on the outside, and Stills can take the lid off of defenses after averaging 16.3 yards per reception in the Dolphins conservative offense.

The Dolphins whiffed on their free agents or weren’t able to properly assimilate them into the offense, and that’s what made getting the Parker selection right all the more important. Not only did he produce and show off his trademark ability to make tough catches, such as his ridiculous grab on Sunday against the New England Patriots, but he also managed to quickly get on the same page with Ryan Tannehill. Some criticism can be levied against Tannehill for not getting the most out of Cameron and Stills, but Parker made sure that the first-round investment in him wouldn’t even be wasted in Year 1.

Matthews’s injury threatened to crush the Dolphins offense, and while the ‘Fins did struggle offensively, Parker was one of the few productive members. The Dolphins need to find a way to keep Lamar Miller and sell him on the team, which involves actually using him for once, but if they do choose to clean up house and don’t re-sign either Miller or Matthews, then Parker will be one of just two true skill position standouts.

Thanks to his 9.88 yards per target and a strong display against standout corner Logan Ryan to close out the season, Parker has shown that he has the tools needed to be a centerpiece for Tannehill in the Dolphins offense. There isn’t a whole lot to be optimistic about in Miami, particularly if Miller leaves, but Parker’s rookie season is one thing to be happy about.

Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; DeVante Parker (Louisville) poses for a photo with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected as the number 14th overall pick to the Miami Dolphins in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; DeVante Parker (Louisville) poses for a photo with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected as the number 14th overall pick to the Miami Dolphins in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /

I would like to see Matthews back in Miami, because he had an incredible season prior to his season-ending injury and made me eat heaping piles of crow. But if he isn’t back, Parker should be a monster as a No. 2 WR and another target-hog in the Dolphins offense.

As his 19.0 yards per reception and insane catch radius can attest, Parker is a big-play weapon, and he’s a 6’3″, sub-4.5s speed beast who joins Tennessee Titans raw “X” receiver Dorial Green-Beckham as key 2016 breakout candidates.

Parker’s expected breakout season seems relatively safe to project, and, again, the Dolphins have to feel happy and more than a tad relieved that this first-round pick is already paying off.

More nfl spin zone: Who are the NFL's best safeties?

In fact, I’d like to see the Dolphins even out the target split between Landry and Parker, simply because there’s so much upside in giving the latter (again, he averaged nearly ten yards per target this season) an uptick in opportunities.

Home/Miami Dolphins