Big Red Louie
Fansided

Former Louisville football stars making moves in NFL Free Agency

By Jacob Lane

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - DECEMBER 30: Teddy Bridgewater #5 of the New Orleans Saints walks off the field after defeating the Carolina Panthers during the first half at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 30, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - DECEMBER 30: Teddy Bridgewater #5 of the New Orleans Saints walks off the field after defeating the Carolina Panthers during the first half at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 30, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI GARDENS, FL – DECEMBER 11: DeVante Parker #11 of the Miami Dolphins tries to avoid the tackle of Stephon Gilmore #24 of the New England Patriots in the third quarter at Hard Rock Stadium on December 11, 2017 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FL – DECEMBER 11: DeVante Parker #11 of the Miami Dolphins tries to avoid the tackle of Stephon Gilmore #24 of the New England Patriots in the third quarter at Hard Rock Stadium on December 11, 2017 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

DeVante Parker – WR

Re-signed with Miami Dolphins (2 years, $13 million) 

DeVante Parker showed enough promise in the first three years of his NFL career with the Dolphins, when he wasn’t injured, to believe that he would be ready to become the team’s new number one wide receiver after they sent Jarvis Landry to the Browns last offseason.

Unfortunately for the Dolphins, and Parker, that didn’t happen. Due to nagging foot and hand injuries, the former Louisville star played in a career low 11 games in 2018-19, finishing the year with career lows in receptions (24) and yards (309), while Kenny Stills and veteran Danny Amendola had better overall seasons.

While that was disappointing in itself, things got weird through the middle of the season between Parker and then Dolphins head coach Adam Gase. After returning from injury, Parker was slated to be active for the first time against the Detroit Lions but instead was held out as a healthy scratch. Within hours Parkers lawyer released a statement to Joe Schad.

The following week when asked by the media if Parker would be suiting up for the Dolphins, Gase was simple with his comments:

"“We don’t have any more receivers so I’m sure he’s going to play."

That raised a lot of questions about whether the Dolphins would look to move him during the deadline, something the team explored but never pulled the trigger on.

All of that mixed with his injury problems and lack of total development in year four made it surprising to say the least when it was reported this week that the Dolphins were bringing back Parker for two more seasons. This quote from the South Florida Sun Sentinel is a good indicator of why the Dolphins made the move.

"According to a league source, the Dolphins’ new coaching staff is intrigued by the skill-set the athletic 6-foot-3, 216-pound receiver brings to the offense, and want to see if they can bring out the best in the former Louisville standout."

Hopefully Brian Flores, the Dolphins new Head Coach, and Chad O’Shea, the new offensive coordinator, can get the best of Parker (if he’s healthy) and help him become the number one receiver in Miami and live up to the expectations that came along with being the 14th player selected in the NFL Draft.

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