What To Do About Devante Parker?

[bakerbakerthetdmaker]

Attending camp and seeing that Devante plays well during individual drills vs one-one or scrimmages makes me wonder if we should just change the way he is used rather than forcing the issue. Parker struggles with separation deep down the field. The truth is he isn't that fast in person. So with his big body, why not make him a "slant route" or "button hook" WR and have him go for some intermediary jump balls close the sideline, and leave the outside stuff to Grant, Stills and Wilson? There is plenty of speed on the team. Miami needs to be visionary and think outside the box. If Parker keeps going deep and is unsuccessful it has a trickle down effect. 2nd and long, predictable pass down, etc...

 

[royalshank]

I think the brutal truth is that he just isn’t that good. I hear what you’re saying on the slant stuff - though he hasn’t shown the physicality to win those contested balls thrown in right windows. I don’t have any answers to offer - I think he’s a goner after this year.

 

[bradmcnutt13]

I think the brutal truth is that he just isn’t that good. I hear what you’re saying on the slant stuff - though he hasn’t shown the physicality to win those contested balls thrown in right windows. I don’t have any answers to offer - I think he’s a goner after this year.

And if you don't win those types of throws, they could lead to deflected ints.

 

[TannDaMan17]

I think the brutal truth is that he just isn’t that good. I hear what you’re saying on the slant stuff - though he hasn’t shown the physicality to win those contested balls thrown in right windows. I don’t have any answers to offer - I think he’s a goner after this year.

Hope you're wrong but fear you're right. He knows this is a huge season for him, so if he can't step it up this year good riddance, but i haven't lost hope just yet. He can't be that slow with his 40 time, but quickness is hard to measure and so is heart.

 

[BSQ]

Some receivers take longer to develop. I really think that and the fact that nagging injuries seem to find him are his problems. So, let's give the whole offense a Mulligan for last year, Cutler sucked, bottom line and see what Parker can do without Landry and Ajayi getting the ball on every play. He has the gifts, he has Tannehill back and I think he'll have a nice 1000 yard plus season with 3,4 TDs. I don't know that he'll ever perform to the level we expect from #1 pick but there's only 1 football and suddenly, we have a ton of fast weapons.

Put it this way-the team was sick last season. I think the virus has been removed and we will now look like a well coached team. Gase remade the team, these are all his guys. As sick as this team look last season that's how healthy they look now. I expect this team to bring it and to look good doing so. Sleep on the Fish and you'll sleep with the fishes.

 

[Superself]

We know what Parker can do. We have seen it in spurts in games. Parker is just too comfortable.

There was a quote from Jakeem Grant about Parker that nailed it for me:

"I feel like he turns it on. I feel like he’s a complete beast. He has to get out of his comfort zone and be the beast that he is. He’s a very sharp route-runner, great hands. Of course, everybody says the injuries and stuff like that but Devante Parker is a beast.”

Parker is too comfortable and I don't know that he will ever consistently be that beast. Right now he is the Avenger's Infinity War version of the Hulk.

 

[SCLSU Mud Dogs]

I wonder if they'll try to line him up in the slot to try to combat his separation issues and get him lined up against smaller corners

 

[superphin]

I think the brutal truth is that he just isn’t that good. I hear what you’re saying on the slant stuff - though he hasn’t shown the physicality to win those contested balls thrown in right windows. I don’t have any answers to offer - I think he’s a goner after this year.

Pretty much this, he's never going to be more than just a meh WR. I know people want to believe that we don't need a #1 WR but even teams who spread the ball around still have 1 guy that gets the lions share of the targets. There were 10 teams last year who had at least 4 players with 65 or more targets, the median amount of targets for the most targeted player on each of those 10 teams is 119. We need a guy who if targeted 119 times can produce efficiently and consistently. Like Tyreek Hill who had 105 targets 75 Recetions 1183 yards 7 tds. Parker had 9 less targets and significantly less yards, TD,s, and receptions. I hope you're right and he is indeed gone after this year.

 

[Miamifinz]

Parker is average. Don’t see much changing this year. His contract isn’t terrible though and I can understand the team wanting to see if he’ll turn the corner this year. But the reality is he’s been holding the offense back. If the light doesn’t come on this year I hope we can land a top receiver in a trade or in the draft next year. Some decent free agents are out there next year but we already have a good chunk of cash going to the receiving corps as is.

 

[gregorygrant83]

We know what Parker can do. We have seen it in spurts in games. Parker is just too comfortable.

There was a quote from Jakeem Grant about Parker that nailed it for me:



Parker is too comfortable and I don't know that he will ever consistently be that beast. Right now he is the Avenger's Infinity War version of the Hulk.

I still think part of that was being the number 3 receiver behind Landry and Stills. Put him in a higher role and everything could change. Stay healthy and give him a decent number of targets and all the other things will take care of themselves. Could easily be an 80 to 90 reception season.

 

[foozool13]

Try to trade him for a 3rd round pick ASAP.

 

[Daytona Fin]

I don't believe he puts in 100% effort with practice and preparation, like a lot of diva wr's. Unfortunately Parker hasn't earned the right to be a diva.

 

[Danny]

I'm rooting for him because it'd be a shame to have yet another first round pick who didn't play like a first round pick. This is his last chance to prove he belongs or not. I'm hoping for the best thought not holding my breath