2015 NFL Draft Rookie Spotlight: DeVante Parker
DeVante Parker would have been the top rated wide receiver in almost any other draft class. All the talk during the off season was between Amari Cooper or Kevin White and on the outside looking in was Louisville star DeVante Parker. Parker is as talented of a receiver as their was in this class and he fell right into the laps of the Miami Dolphins who were in need of trying to acquire more weapons for quarterback Ryan Tannehill.
Parker has drawn comparisons to elite Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green from scouts and myself. Parker is going to have to battle for the number two wide receiver spot with Greg Jennings and Kenny Stills but Parker has enough talent to enter the starting lineup from week one.
Let’s take a look at what we should expect from Miami’s new offensive weapon.
Expectations
The Dolphins have totally revamped their receiving core with the emergence of Jarvis Landry, and the acquisitions of Kenny Stills and Greg Jennings. Kenny Stills is listed by some as the number two starter but Stills is only a situational deep threat and that’s all he really brings to the table. Stills would be much better off being the slot receiver in that offense. Jennings showed some nice things last year in Minnesota but is not as good as Stills or Parker anymore. Parker is going to have a legitimate chance to earn that starting spot in that offense and I fully expect him to accomplish that barring an injury.
A receiving unit with Landry and Parker on the outside and Kenny Stills in the slot would be more beneficial to Miami then having Stills on the outside and Parker in the slot. Dolphins fans should expect Tannehill to take the next step in his progression with the addition of DeVante Parker. I would temper expectations just because I do not see Parker having the year one success that recent rookie wide receivers have been having.
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Prediction
I fully believe and predict that DeVante Parker will win that number two spot and be the week one starter alongside Kenny Stills. Parker has an exceptional catch radius that Ryan Tannehill will no question take advantage of. At 6’3 Parker will be a instant red zone threat for Miami which will also give Parker fantasy value. I can’t envision Parker having a better year then Amari Cooper, Kevin White, Dorial Green-Beckham or Nelson Agholor but Parker still should have a solid rookie season that will give Miami Dolphins fans hope for years to come.
In a few years Parker could be as good as any of the rookie receivers in this class but for now Parker should produce for the Dolphins and be a top target for Ryan Tannehill.
Stat Line
My prediction for DeVante Parker is 55 receptions, 750 yards and 7 touchdowns