It seems like the entire world gave up on DeVante Parker. I know I sure as hell did. Then 2019 happened. Parker didn’t just have a great season. It came out of nowhere on a tanking Dolphins team that had no aspirations to win. Parker didn’t just have a great season, he went from being a bust top one of the most lethal weapons in the entire league overnight. It was one of the more shocking turn of events last season. The question is can DeVante Parker actually continue the momentum in 2020?
Don’t ask me where the 2019 Parker came from. Maybe it was just a coaching issue. Maybe Parker never was going to thrive under Adam Gase? Maybe he justed needed someone like Brian Flores who commands the room? Maybe Parker is just a late bloomer? Whatever the reason, Parker was nothing short of excellent last year.
Parker has been in the NFL 5 years. Prior to last season, the former first round pick from Louisville had 9 career touchdowns. He found a way to double that total in one shot. Seriously, compare last season to his previous 4. How the hell did this happen?
It’s not like Parker got outstanding QB play either. Josh Rosen stunk up the joint in a few starts. Ryan Fitzpatrick had an ok season, but it’s not like he set the world on fire. Parker’s breakout season came under unusual circumstances. Bad quarterback play, bad offensive line play, and really no other wide receiver threat on the roster (outside of Preston Williams who got hurt).
The physical tools aren’t really a question mark. 6-foot-3, 216, with plus speed and strength. Parker was a first round pick for a reason. It’s not like it was a fluky pick. So why did it take him so long to do this? Is this something we can actually expect in 2020? I can say with absolute certainty that I have no idea what’s coming for DeVante Parker in 2020. All I know is that he is someone you can no longer count out.
