Parker drawing trade interest before deadline
No Dolphins offensive player has been more productive the past three seasons than DeVante Parker.
But other teams have displayed interest in the veteran receiver, and the Dolphins face a decision by Tuesday’s 4 p.m. trade deadline.
According to a source, the Dolphins have not actively shopped Parker, but the Dolphins’ approach is to listen to offers on every player.
Parker, 28, had eight catches for 85 yards against Buffalo, his first game back after missing three with a hamstring injury.
He has missed 16 games during his six-plus year career and has often dealt with soft-tissue injuries.
A decision on whether to trade Parker could hinge on whether the Dolphins intend to keep him beyond this season. He has two years remaining on his contract after this one.
Parker is owed $5.6 million in 2022 — a reasonable salary for a player of his caliber — but none
of that money is guaranteed. He would have an $8.9 million cap number in 2022 if he’s on the team. He’s owed $5.7 million with a $9 million cap hit in 2023.
If the Dolphins release Parker between the end of this season and June 1, Miami would carry $5.4 million in dead money with a $3.6 million cap
savings. If Parker is cut after June 1 next season, the dead money would be $2.7 million and the cap savings $6.3 million.
Parker has 25 catches for 327 yards and one touchdown in five games this season. During his career, he has caught 323 passes for 4,539 yards and 23 touchdowns in 88 games.
SNAP DECISIONS
Here’s how the Dolphins allocated playing time against Buffalo:
With linebacker Jerome Baker sidelined by a knee injury, the Dolphins started Duke Riley at inside linebacker, and he played 67 of the Dolphins’ 73 offensive snaps.
Sam Eguavoen, who played after Baker’s injury against Atlanta, logged only four snaps.
Elandon Roberts played 49 snaps in the other inside linebacker slot.
Rookie linebacker
Jaelan Phillips, who played just 15 defensive snaps against Atlanta, logged 61 against Buffalo.
Rookie safety Jevon Holland played every defensive snap (73) for the second game in a row. Safety Brandon Jones played his most snaps of the season (70).
Former starter Eric Rowe, who has started just two games this season, was limited to 21 snaps.
Cornerback Nik Needham, who has struggled against Buffalo, played 49 snaps, but Justin Coleman (20 snaps) played more than Needham late in the game.
Needham allowed seven of eight passes thrown against him to be caught for 94 yards. Coleman allowed all three passes thrown against him to be caught for 25 yards.
Tight end Mike Gesicki played his highest percentage of snaps of the season — 67 of 69, with
Adam Shaheen logging 41 and Durham Smythe 29. Rookie third-round pick Hunter Long remains inactive.
Defensive tackle Zach Sieler played just 14 snaps, fewer than usual.
At running back, the Dolphins gave 40 snaps to Myles Gaskin ;16to Salvon Ahmed and 10 to
Patrick Laird.
Gaskin had just 36 yards on 12 rushes (3.0 average) and Ahmed ran seven times for 22 yards (3.1).
Jaylen Waddle played the most at receiver (65 of Miami’s 69 offensive snaps), with Parker logging 63. There was then a huge drop-off in playing time to Isaiah Ford (8), Mack Hollins (4) and Albert Wilson
(2).
Pro Football Focus graded Parker as Miami’s best player on offense on Sunday and quarterback
Tua Tagovailoa the worst . ... On defense, PFF graded Sieler the best and Coleman the worst . ...
Per PFF, right tackle
Jesse Davis allowed eight quarterback pressures.
Left tackle Liam Eichenberg permitted six pressures and two sacks . ... On the positive side, left guard didn’t allow a pressure.