Parker has a grand goal: 1,000 yards

DAVIE — Miami Dolphins wide receiver DeVante Parker has remained healthy throughout the offseason and training camp, enjoys catching the football from new quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, and could be primed for a breakout season for the first time in his career if he can put it all together.

When Parker was asked Wednesday what could make this season a successful one, he did not shy away from setting a high bar for himself.

“A success for me? A thousand yards,” Parker said stoically.

Why?

“I haven’t done it yet,” Parker said. Do you have what it takes?

“Yes,” he assured.

Parker, the Dolphins’ 2015 first-round pick, has received a bad reputation for being often injured during his career.

Just a season ago, Parker had three injuries (a broken finger, quadriceps strain and shoulder injury) that hampered his performance to the point he caught only 24 passes — two fewer than his rookie year.

Still, the Dolphins chose to resign Parker to a new deal that could last two years and pay him $13 million, instead of exercising the fifth-year option on his rookie contract that would have paid him $9.4 million for this season alone.

The Dolphins, led by general manager Chris Grier, believe Parker has untapped potential he has yet to reach. And the new Dolphins coaching staff, led by Brian Flores and new offensive coordinator Chad O’Shea, hope to uncover it.

“It’s been going pretty well for me,” Parker said encapsulating his training camp experience. “I’m just getting the hang of the offense, just studying, and coming out working every day.”

Parker has caught 163 passes for 2,217 yards with nine touchdowns in his first four seasons with the team, but has missed 11 games to various injuries.

The closest Parker has gotten to 1,000 receiving yards was during his second season in 2016 where he started eight games, played in 15 games overall, and caught 56 of his 87 targets for 744 yards with four touchdowns.

It was a strong follow to his rookie year, where he played in 15 games with four starts, catching 26 passes for 494 yards with three touchdowns.

While Parker was able to catch 57 passes in 2017, he amassed just 670 yards with one touchdown.

Parker also scored just one touchdown last season, finishing with 24 receptions for 309 yards.

After an offseason where he remained healthy, Parker hopes to hit his stride this season and reach his lofty goal with Fitzpatrick and Josh Rosen at quarterback.

Parker has already developed an on-field rapport with Fitzpatrick during the offseason and through the first six training camp practices.

“It’s been great working with him,” Parker said of Fitzpatrick. “He puts the ball where it needs to be and we adjust to it. That’s a thing that he does [well]. … It gives us a chance to come down with it. He puts it where it needs to be and we have to make a play.”

As the Dolphins navigate training camp ahead of the 2019 season, Parker insists he does not view this season as one that could turn the tide on his career or define his NFL future.

“No, I don’t feel that way at all,” Parker said.

“I just want the coaches to know I can still play the game. That’s the biggest thing, and I think I’ve done that so far.”

TAIMY ALVAREZ/SUN SENTINEL Wide receiver DeVante Parker, who wants to have his first 1,000-yard season, catches a pass during camp.