Miami Dolphins trade DeVante Parker to New England Patriots

The Miami Dolphins have been at the center of most of the big moves during this NFL off season, but this time its the team doing business with them that gets top marks for their move.

Patriots trade for Dolphins' DeVante Parker

With the chatter still revolving around the blockbuster deal that saw the Dolphins trade for star wide receiver Tyreek Hill from fellow AFC contenders the Kansas City Chiefs, one could be forgiven for asking 'what next?' Yet, Miami has indeed gone a step further as reports confirmed on Saturday that they have managed to make a deal for one of their own, with former starter DeVante Parker going to the New England Patriots in a trade that will involve draft picks being swapped between the two teams. To be more specific, the Dolphins will receive a 2023 third-round pick from New England, while the Patriots get Parker and a 2022 fifth-round pick.

The Dolphins did decent business

On the surface level one might question a move that sees a 29 year old consistent player moving on in exchange for a 5th round pick. On the other hand, the Dolphins just secured themselves Tyreek Hill, revamped Cedrick Wilson Jr's contract and also have Jaylen Waddle waiting in the wings. With any one of those guys in consideration, the reality is that Parker's time was probably up. That is of course before mentioning the fact that with those moves, Miami saved themselves some $3.3 million in 2022, and a further $6+ million in 2023, on top of adding a second third-rounder draft pick to a selection that will also include two firsts. In the end, though all of the aforementioned moves are small scale, the fact is the Dolphins just got themselves arguably the best wide receiver in the league.

The Patriots didn't do too shabby either

Isn't it always the case that what is considered expendable by one person is valued by another. When all details are stripped away, the Patriots are willing to let go of a fifth round pick to go with a player who has seen 64 starts in a position that required further assistance this off-season. True, Parker has jump ball ability, but is that really what was in consideration when this deal was finalized. There is of course the fact that at $5.6 million base salary in 2022, the numbers are quite reasonable.

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In the end though, it mus be said that Parker brings both size and play-making ability to a receiving unit that still includes Jakobi Meyers, Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne. Should things go south, meaning that Parker finds himself on the wrong side of injuries as was the case in 2021, the Patriots can simply continue with the same rotation that they used last season. On the flip side, should their new man get going, Mac Jones will have himself a legitimate pair of hands to target. What's more is that given that New England can expect a 2023 third round pick having seen CB J.C. Jackson leaving via free agency, this is pretty much a win-win situation for both parties involved.