Miami Dolphins: DeVante Parker earned extension finally realizing potential

DeVante Parker finally realizing his potential — against the odds this season — with the Miami Dolphins earned him a hefty contract extension.

When the Miami Dolphins were building their roster this offseason, seemingly having an eye on the future, one move seemed somewhat odd. After four disappointing seasons since the Dolphins made DeVante Parker a first-round pick out of Louisville, Miami re-signed him to a two-year deal.

Bringing him back at all was questionable given how he’d busted thus far in his career but, with an out after the 2019 season with no dead cap, there was no ultimate harm. It was essentially one last shot for a physically gifted player to show he was worth keeping around for the future in the midst of a monster rebuild. And that bet has paid off for the Dolphins.

Parker has enjoyed by far the best season of his career in 2019, despite the depleted roster around him, and has looked much like what many have hoped he’d become since his rookie season. And on Friday, Miami rewarded him for his breakout season, signing him to a four-year extension worth up to $40 million and with $21.5 million guaranteed, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport:

Through his first four seasons in Miami, Parker simply looked like another case of unrealized potential. The 6-3, 216-pound wideout had never delivered more than 57 receptions, more than 744 yards and more than four touchdowns in his four-year career. In 2019, he’s already topped his previous bests in yardage (882) and touchdowns (6) and has 55 receptions through just 13 games.

It’s safe to say that few saw that coming this season for the Dolphins. Though Ryan Fitzpatrick has been a prolific deep-ball passer at times, few imagined him having sustained success with a bad offensive line, virtually no running game and no proven pass-catching weapons.

And yet, Fitzpatrick and Parker have developed an obvious rapport that has both spearheaded Miami’s offense and rejuvenated the hype around the wide receiver. Not only do the number say so but he’s made numerous impressive 50-50 catches, big plays down the field and everything you would want to see from a first-round wide receiver.

At just 26 years old, Parker still has plenty of football left ahead of him. Having said that, many were ready to write him off after the 2018 campaign, the worst season of his career. But in a year where the Dolphins were supposed to be a joke, he’s been a primary reason why they’re not. And though this new contract would’ve seemed crazy to hand out just six months ago, Parker has more than earned it by finally looking like the player he always had the potential to be.