Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Questions remain
Three days from training camp, DeVante Parker, left, is the big unknown in the Dolphins’ offense.
Editor’s note: With the start of Dolphins’ training camp three days away, the Sun Sentinel takes a look at the team’s top storylines in a 10-part series. Today, Chris Perkins tackles whether this will be the year DeVante Parker puts it all together.
Wide receiver DeVante Parker might be the biggest “X” factor in the Miami Dolphins’ offense this season.
Sure, there’s center Mike Pouncey’s troublesome hip, quarterback Ryan Tannehill’s left knee, and tight end Julius Thomas’ ability to regain his Pro Bowl form.
But those are injury-related questions.
As the Dolphins begin training camp, the questions surrounding Parker are mostly maturity-related. That’s what makes his situation different.
Over the past two years Parker, the 2015 first-round pick, has battled foot and hamstring injuries, hydration problems, work ethic concerns, and rest and diet concerns. The foot and hamstring problems are no longer worrisome; the same can’t be said for the other issues.
Parker is confident he’ll be a different player this season, and offensive coordinator Clyde Christensen said this offseason that the third-year player is poised for a “gigantic” year.
That could make the Dolphins’ passing game among the NFL’s most dangerous considering it already features Pro Bowl slot receiver Jarvis Landry (94 receptions, 1,136 yards, four touchdowns last year) and deep threat Kenny Stills (nine touchdowns, 17.3 yards per reception).
Parker, who had 56 receptions for 744 yards and four touchdowns last season, is the most physically gifted of the team’s receivers from the standpoint he’s equipped to be a threat at all three levels — short, intermediate and deep.
At 6-foot-3, 212 pounds, Parker, who had just 26 receptions for 494 yards and three touchdowns as a rookie, has the size and skill set to be a game changer.
Parker has flashed such dynamic traits numerous times in practices and games. But he hasn’t been consistent.
To that end, Parker’s performance this season could be an “X” factor in another way — it could influence the way the Dolphins approach Landry, who is entering the final year of his contract and desires an extension.
If Parker plays well consistently, the Dolphins might have leverage on Landry. After all, they’d have Stills and Parker, and in that situation might not feel they need to pay Landry top dollar.
Conversely, another soso season by Parker increases Landry’s leverage. In that case they’d only have Stills as a reliable receiver and might need to pay Landry top dollar to retain the integrity of the receiving corps.
The Dolphins think they have a good handle on the hip injury that limited Pouncey to five games last season, the knee injury that caused Tannehill to miss the last three regular-season games and the wildcard playoff game, and the reasons Thomas’ productivity slipped during his two seasons in Jacksonville.
But no one is sure whether the Dolphins have a good handle on what Parker is really capable of.
Dolphins’ training camp schedule: Thursday, 8:20 a.m.; Friday, 8:20 a.m.; Saturday, 8:20 a.m.; Sunday, 8:20 a.m.; July 31, 8:20 a.m.; Aug. 2, 8:45 a.m.; Aug. 3, 8:20 a.m.; Aug. 4, 8:20 a.m.; Aug. 7, 8:45 a.m.; Aug. 8, 8:20 a.m.; Aug. 13, 8:20 a.m.; Aug. 14, 8:20 a.m.; Aug. 15, 8:20 a.m.
All open practices will take place at the Baptist Health Training Facility at Nova Southeastern University in Davie; Practice times are subject to change, for the most updated information call 954-452-7004 or go to Dolphins.com/TrainingCamp