Miami Dolphins: Potential breakout star on offense
The Miami Dolphins have an abundance of young talent entering the 2017 season, but who will be the breakout star of the offense?
The one Miami Dolphins player who I have my eye on for “Breakout Player of the Year” in 2017. To preface this, heading into the 2015 NFL Draft I had DeVante Parker as the 1B wide receiver to Amari Cooper’s 1A. I still fully believe that, from a talent standpoint, that is the case. However, injuries and reportedly work ethic have been the difference.
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These would be my thoughts on the situation regardless of any news or reports coming out of Miami, barring drastically negative reports of course. But all the positive things coming from Parker and the coaches only strengthens my outlook on his upcoming season.
First, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reported that offensive coordinator Clyde Christensen anticipated a breakout season from Parker stating, “I really think he’ll have a really great year. Gigantic year.”
A few weeks later, Parker echoed similar sentiments via the Miami Herald:
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"“I’m tired of being hurt and not healthy (for) a full season…I made a couple of changes…I’m just really focused on leg work, leg workouts mainly. I still do upper body, but I want to do legs to get my hamstrings right for this season…Expecting a big season this year.”"
With other reports saying he’s looked like a “dominant threat”, the signs are overwhelmingly positive. And a dominant threat is exactly what he was in college. We’ve seen flashes in South Beach. For a guy that has been called a bust at times in his short career, 1,238 yards and seven touchdowns in 29 games really isn’t awful. He’s just graded on a harsh rookie curve.
Looking at his college production, however, it’s hard to not be impressed. During his final year at Louisville in 2014, he lit it up in just six games coming off a broken foot. He caught a whopping 43 passes for 855 yards and five touchdowns. That’s after a combined 22 touchdowns in the two previous seasons. If he’s willing to put in the work to stay fit and healthy, Parker has A.J. Green type talent.
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My prediction for Parker in 2017 is about 85 catches for 1,100 yards and eight touchdowns. That will be just the beginning of a run that will see him be a serious threat for years to come in the NFL. I am more than willing to put my name on that.