You’d be hard pressed to find a better storyline for the 2019 Miami Dolphins than the resurgence of wide receiver DeVante Parker. Parker, who was the team’s 1st-round selection in the 2015 NFL Draft, was very much an embodiment of the Dolphins as an organization over this past decade. He was talented but underachieving, consistently flashing just enough to keep you ready to buy into his game before another frustrating setback prevented him from leveling up.
But if DeVante Parker is going to serve as an embodiment of the Miami Dolphins, then better days are ahead. Because after four underwhelming seasons, Parker exploded last year in Miami — earning himself a contract extension in the process and securing himself ‘WR1’ status for the foreseeable future.
Parker wasn’t just productive, he was dominant in certain phases of the game — particularly at the catch point. Only one NFL receiver logged more yardage in contested catch situations last year than Parker.
And that lies as the key for Parker’s continued success in Miami. Parker has always been a player who thrived playing the ball above the rim. And in 2019 with Ryan Fitzpatrick at the helm, Parker finally got the kind of volume of targets against tight coverage to make the leap in play. If Parker is going to continue to live up to the new standard he’s set, he’s going to need to continue to be one of the NFL’s most productive contested catch receivers.
Under the direction of new offensive coordinator Chan Gailey, Parker will be sure to continue to get his shots at plays down the field, but he’ll also have to win quick at the line of scrimmage and use his frame to box defenders out and secure the play. The good news? We’ve now seen Parker do it over the course of a season. But now comes the hard part — doing it again.
