Camila Sosa
The New England Patriots strengthened their wide receiver corps this weekend after acquiring experienced wide receiver DeVante Parker from the Miami Dolphins.
As first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter and later confirmed by both teams, Parker comes to New England with a fifth-round pick in the 2022 Draft, while Miami receives a third-round pick in the 2023 Draft in return.
Parker, who has seven years of NFL experience, all with the Dolphins, has been on the radar of several teams for a couple of weeks after missing out on a major role in his former organization. The receiver was to begin the campaign as the third option, but moved to fourth after the trade that brought Tyreek Hill to Florida.
Without much room in Mike McDaniel’s offense and with two years left on his contract, Parker looked to be a permanent fixture and so it turned out.
The Patriots know him well as they have suffered through his catches since he arrived on the circuit and according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the organization has always been impressed by what DeVante Parker can do on the gridiron. And how could he not, when in 12 lifetime games against them he averaged 49.8 yards per game for a total of 597.
Parker will join a receiving corps that on paper goes under the table, but under Bill Belichick is a specialist in hurting opponents. This one is made up of: Kendrick Bourne, Nelson Agholor, Jakobi Meyers, N’Keal Harry and Ty Montgomery, plus tight ends Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith and running back James White.
The receiver was selected in the first round of the 2015 Draft, and, since his debut, recorded 338 receptions for 4,727 yards and 24 touchdowns. His best season came in 2019 when he set personal records in with 72 receptions, 1,202 yards and nine touchdowns.
DeVante Parker and the Changes between Patriots and Dolphins
In almost all sports, including the NFL, it is rare to see changes between division rivals. That’s why DeVante Parker’s arrival to the Patriots draws attention, as the two teams have shared for quite some time in the AFC East.
However, this is not the first time that the two organizations have exchanged parts. According to ESPN’s Mike Reiss, this is the fifth time under Belichick that New England and Miami have agreed to a trade and the third time a receiver has been included.
In fact, theoretically, the only position involved in the aforementioned changes was that of receiver, since in the other two they traded draft picks. Undoubtedly, those are curious facts about the agreements reached between two great division rivals.
