DeVante Parker will be worth the wait for Dolphins
By Joshua Houtz
“With the 14th pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins select…”
DeVante Parker, wide receiver Louisville University. When those words were uttered Miami Dolphin fans all over the world let out a sigh of relief. For the first time in the last decade, the Miami Dolphins had a true #1 wide receiver, or at least it had seemed.
In 2014, DeVante Parker missed half the season with an ankle injury. Despite playing six fewer games than the year prior, DeVante Parker recorded the same amount of yards (885). Many were uncertain if Parker would return to finish out the 2014 season, but he did and had an immediate impact on the Cardinals’ season.
Much like his last year at Louisville, Parker has been plagued by an ankle injury. This injury required an additional surgery, forcing Parker to begin the offseason on the PUP list. Parker was removed from the PUP list early last week, and has been spotted on the sideline holding his helmet during Wednesday’s practice.
At the moment, wide receiver appears to be a strength of the Dolphins. Miami has Jarvis Landry, Kenny Stills, Greg Jennings, and Rishard Matthews, all of whom can pick up the slack while Parker remains sidelined. That doesn’t include the wide receivers who have impressed early throughout training camp. However, none of these receivers can do what Parker can.
During the draft process, many scouts compared DeVante Parker to A.J Green of the Cincinnati Bengals. The 6’3, 209 lbs. play-maker runs sharp, crisp routes. He has the ability to go up and make the catch, shielding defenders with his body. DeVante Parker is deceptively fast, running a 4.45 forty at the combine. Parker is everything you could ask for in a wide receiver, something Dolphins fans can expect to see in the near future.
When Parker is fully healed, the Dolphins offense will have a piece they’ve been missing since Brandon Marshall was traded to the Chicago Bears back in 2012. Parker catches anything within reach and isn’t afraid to go over the middle. He should flourish within Bill Lazor’s high-octane offense. Pairing him with the current core of receivers, defenses will have matchup nightmares trying to defend each of Miami’s weapons.
Whether DeVante Parker is ready by Week 1, or midway through the season. The Miami Dolphins will have a 22 year old phenom, ready to take the next step in his football career. If Parker can remain healthy, the skies the limit for the rookie wide receiver.
More from cover32:
