With rumors suggesting he’s available, the Detroit Lions should be among the teams looking to make a deal for DeVante Parker.
The Miami Dolphins made a blockbuster move this week, trading five draft picks to the Kansas City Chiefs for wide receiver Tyreek Hill. With Jaylen Waddle already in place and the earlier signing of Cedrick Wilson, former first-round pick DeVante Parker is falling down the depth chart.
Of course Parker was a first-round pick a few head coaches ago now in Miami, and of the predecessor to current general manager Chris Grier, back in 2015.
Parker has never put it together in his career, and he’s coming of a down year in 2021 (40 receptions for 515 yards and two touchdowns in 10 games). He has never had rapport with Tua Tagovailoa, and it’s hardly a coincidence his best season (2019–72 catches for 1,202 yards, nine touchdowns) came mostly with the aggressive Ryan Fitzpatrick allowing him to use his size and speed to win downfield.
The Detroit Lions should be involved in trade market for DeVante Parker
Sam Monson of Pro Football Focus saw the light regarding Parker’s future in Miami after the trade for Hill.
And right on que, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, Parker is drawing trade interest. The Philadelphia Eagles are specifically mentioned among the teams who have interest.
Parker has two years left on his contract, with an $8.74 million cap hit this year and a $9 million cap hit in 2023. But it’s a pretty easy deal to get out of in 2023, with a cut or trade clearing $6.3 million in cap space (according to Over The Cap).
The Dolphins surely don’t want to pay, as Jackson called it, someone who’s now in line to be their “co-No. 3” wide receiver nearly $8.75 million this year. So Parker seems likely to be available for next to nothing in a trade, let’s say a Day 3 draft pick. With that in mind, the Lions should be readying their offer.