As the Dolphins break from OTA’s and head into June minicamp, one thing is becoming increasingly clear: DeVante Parker is a beast. Will he help lead the Dolphins to the playoffs is the question? Is ‘Vante the missing piece of the puzzle?
When Dennis Hickey in the 2014 draft went and plucked Jarvis Landry from LSU, fans salivated that he could catch the ball, in traffic, and had enough foot speed to get that chunk yardage. Not only did the Landry pick seem incredibly insightful at the time, he proved to be the Dolphins best rookie on the field and had an immediate impact in the team’s offense.
So much so, he pushed the heck out of Brian Hartline and his Mizz and Main wearing self out of Miami and back home to Cleveland.
This season as the Dolphins looked up and down the draft board they had to right a wrong after trading and overpaying Mike Wallace, enter DeVante Parker.
At first as a Dolphins columnist, I wasn’t sold initially. However, against “air” in rookie minicamp his catch radius, “hops” and vertical jump, and speed is a deadly combination against opposing defenses. As much as there is hype for DeVante to be Tannehill’s favorite weapon this season, he’s showing an immediate connection with the newly signed quarterback.
Not to mention, DeVante’s skill set and presence prove something exciting that this franchise and this fan base needs heading into a 2016 of uncertainty, one that could be filled with a lack of salary cap space and one that might find them looking for a new coach win or lose.
It’s been said by various reporters that the Dolphins were fortunate to send Wallace to Minnesota in exchange for draft picks and to pick off the Vikings who possibly could have set their sights on ‘Vante. However, maybe Vikings GM threw the Dolphins a bone and buried the hatchet from any past aggressions as a former Dolphins GM.
This much is known, the kid can play, and play he will as he attempts to be the first wide receiver since O.J. McDuffie to be an impact player for the Dolphins franchise.
Come September, I hope he shuts up the critics, me included!
Photo Credit: Miami Dolphins
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