Making the leap: Dolphins WR DeVante Parker

[DKphin]

This week, ESPN.com’s Dolphins page will highlight several players we expect to make the leap this year. On Tuesday, we focus on Miami’s former first-round pick in 2015.

Making the leap: WR DeVante Parker
Experience: One season
2015 stats: 26 receptions, 494 yards, three touchdowns
Analysis: The Dolphins were excited last year when they landed Parker with the No. 14 overall pick. They got an athletic receiver with good height and strong hands. However, a foot injury from college led to summer surgery and a slow start to the regular season. Parker didn’t find his way until late in the year, when he recorded 445 receiving yards in the final six games. Gase said he’s happy to work with Parker. Gase is familiar with Parker because his former team, the Chicago Bears, almost drafted him. Parker could have a dynamic year in a new offense as long as his foot issues remain a thing of the past. The duo of Parker and Jarvis Landry should be among the biggest bright spots on offense for Miami.

http://espn.go.com/blog/miami-dolphins/post/_/id/20728/making-the-leap-dolphins-wr-devante-parker

 

[MarinoEqualsGod]

At the very least, I expect Parker's numbers to double this season. Anything less than 1,000 yards and six TDs from him would be an epic disappointment.

 

[Kdawg954]

At the very least, I expect Parker's numbers to double this season. Anything less than 1,000 yards and six TDs from him would be an epic disappointment.

Yea I'd almost think that is the floor for my expectations.

I'm expecting big things from Devante. When the ball is in the air, he's the favorite to go get it every time. For Ryan, sometimes he will just have to throw it up and take the odds.

 

[MarinoEqualsGod]

Yea I'd almost think that is the floor for my expectations.

I'm expecting big things from Devante. When the ball is in the air, he's the favorite to go get it every time. For Ryan, sometimes he will just have to throw it up and take the odds.

Not to beat a dead horse, but how different is it for a QB to have a receiver like Parker as opposed to someone like Mike Wallace. Night and day difference, both on and off the field.

 

[Kdawg954]

Not to beat a dead horse, but how different is it for a QB to have a receiver like Parker as opposed to someone like Mike Wallace. Night and day difference, both on and off the field.

Oh no question . . . any QB would be happy to have that type of weapon on the outside. Was a necessary component for the continued growth of Ryan Tannehill.

 

[ChrisTRD]

The duo of Parker and Landry makes me so effin excited.

 

[NY8123]

At this point I don't know how anyone can blame anyone but Wallace for the long ball void when he was here. It was apparent in Minnasota when he was there, unless there was total seperation and pin point ball placement you didn't have a chance and even then he might drop the ****ing thing.

I saw more out of Parker in the last six games he played in than all of the games Wallace had in Miami.

 

[Kdawg954]

At this point I don't know how anyone can blame anyone but Wallace for the long ball void when he was here. It was apparent in Minnasota when he was there, unless there was total seperation and pin point ball placement you didn't have a chance and even then he might drop the ****ing thing.

I saw more out of Parker in the last six games he played in than all of the games Wallace had in Miami.

Mike Wallace was a 10 TD WR in 2014 . . . he did something when he was here and more than anytime in his career he actually moved around the field and ran routes to the better of his QB. I know it is fashionable to beat up on him but just pointing out some positives. Mike Wallace did his job numerous times on his fly routes . . . . the expectation of connecting on those type of routes more often was the problem.

But I just think his skillset is only going to work with a handful of quarterbacks in the NFL and Parker's suits a guy like Ryan Tannehill (and any QB) perfectly . . . especially when you have an inside terror like Jarvis Landry already on the team.

 

[Sons Of Shula]

At this point I don't know how anyone can blame anyone but Wallace for the long ball void when he was here. It was apparent in Minnasota when he was there, unless there was total seperation and pin point ball placement you didn't have a chance and even then he might drop the ****ing thing.

I saw more out of Parker in the last six games he played in than all of the games Wallace had in Miami.

One of the worst route runners I've ever had the displeasure of watching. Not to mention his stone hands.

 

[BigNastyFish]

First and foremost, Parker needs to prove he's durable and the foot problem is forever in the past. After that IMO he needs to add muscle while also working on his explosiveness out of the blocks.

Bottom line, the kid has the capabilities to be a major player and a real difference maker -- now he just needs to live up to his potential. We all know that doesn't happen all the time in Dolphinland so we'll just have to see.

I am cautiously optimistic but there's a lot he needs to prove...

BNF.

 

[maralieus]

Parker is gonna be huge for us this year. If we draft a good rb then tannehill will have safety outlets, short route playmakers and deep route playmakers. What he has needed the most since the beginning is a receiver that can win the deep route 1 on 1's so tannehill can get some easy yardage like all the other great qbs get every game.

 

[kcbrown]

I was surprised by Parkers production during the last half of the season. He looked confident, like he belonged, like he wanted the ball. He also looked like a stud crossing the middle of the field, leaping for jump balls, etc....

I agree, if the kid hits adds 5-10lbs of muscle, and can get out of the blocks at a decent speed, he can have a great season.

Even if he only gets 60 catches, he should have an 1100 yard season (if Tanny stays upright).

 

[NY8123]

Mike Wallace was a 10 TD WR in 2014 . . . he did something when he was here and more than anytime in his career he actually moved around the field and ran routes to the better of his QB. I know it is fashionable to beat up on him but just pointing out some positives. Mike Wallace did his job numerous times on his fly routes . . . . the expectation of connecting on those type of routes more often was the problem.

But I just think his skillset is only going to work with a handful of quarterbacks in the NFL and Parker's suits a guy like Ryan Tannehill (and any QB) perfectly . . . especially when you have an inside terror like Jarvis Landry already on the team.

Wallace just isn't meant to be a true #1 WR. He isn't a guy that is going to go up and get a ball 7 out of 10 times. At the time Ireland didn't really have a choice but I think given the two I'd have preferred to stay with Marshall.

 

[CChambers84]

Mike Wallace was a 10 TD WR in 2014 . . . he did something when he was here and more than anytime in his career he actually moved around the field and ran routes to the better of his QB. I know it is fashionable to beat up on him but just pointing out some positives. Mike Wallace did his job numerous times on his fly routes . . . . the expectation of connecting on those type of routes more often was the problem.

But I just think his skillset is only going to work with a handful of quarterbacks in the NFL and Parker's suits a guy like Ryan Tannehill (and any QB) perfectly . . . especially when you have an inside terror like Jarvis Landry already on the team.

Wallace's main problem was not having Big Ben as a QB

 

[Kdawg954]

Wallace just isn't meant to be a true #1 WR. He isn't a guy that is going to go up and get a ball 7 out of 10 times. At the time Ireland didn't really have a choice but I think given the two I'd have preferred to stay with Marshall.

After watching what we put at WR in 2012 . . . I was not upset at all to bring in Mike Wallace.

But clearly he is no Devante Parker or a #1 WR.

And fully agree on Marshall . . . hated that trade and the after effect of it.