Patriots acquire Dolphins WR Parker
BOSTON — The Patriots may have a new No. 1 wide receiver thanks to a division rival.
The Pats acquired Dolphins wideout DeVante Parker in a trade Saturday, a league source told the Herald. According to reports, the Patriots also added a 2022 fifthround pick in the deal in exchange for a 2023 third-rounder. Parker became expendable after Miami traded for Chiefs All-Pro receiver Tyreek Hill and signed former Cowboys wideout Cedrick Wilson in free agency.
The 29-year-old finished with 40 catches for 515 yards and two touchdowns last season, a year interrupted by hamstring and shoulder injuries. Over his sevenyear career, Parker has produced one 1,000-yard season, a 2019 campaign when he also set career highs in receptions (72) and receiving touchdowns (9). Since then, injuries have prevented the former first-round pick from topping 800 yards or 65 catches in a single season.
Parker has two years remaining on his contract, with modest base salaries of $5.65 million this season and $5.7 million in 2023. Adding Parker will reduce the Patriots’ current cap space close to zero. However, he helps address arguably the team’s biggest roster hole and grants the front office more flexibility heading into the draft.
Against the Patriots, Parker has consistently produced. Over a dozen head-to-head meetings, he’s averaged 50 yards and a touchdown per game. In 2019, he delivered arguably the best performance of his career during a shocking road upset that denied New England a first-round playoff bye.
That afternoon, Parker dominated Stephon Gilmore, then an All-Pro and the future Defensive Player of the Year.
Months later, Pats coach Bill Belichick spoke highly of Parker before his 2020 season opener.
“He’s got a very, very good skill set. He’s a big athlete that runs well. Has good hands, good run after the catch ability, and good quickness for his size. So, he presents a lot of problems on deep balls,” Belichick said.