The Miami Dolphins continued their active offseason on Saturday, as they traded wide receiver DeVante Parker and a 2022 fifth-round pick to the New England Patriots for a 2023 third-round pick.
Miami now has just four draft picks in this upcoming draft – a third, fourth and two seventh-round selections. However, in 2023, they currently have two picks in the first and third rounds.
This move was likely to happen at some point after the Dolphins went out and gave former Dallas Cowboys wideout Cedrick Wilson Jr. a three-year contract worth up to $23.55 million and traded for Tyreek Hill. The hiring of Mike McDaniel could’ve been a sign that Parker’s days were limited as well, as the former Louisville Cardinal might’ve had the hardest time finding a role in his offense.
If Parker stayed in Miami for 2022, he likely would’ve been the fourth receiver and perhaps the sixth pass catcher on an offense that has upgraded a lot in recent weeks.
At this point, the Dolphins have nine receivers on the roster, including Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Wilson Jr., Preston Williams, Trent Sherfield, River Cracraft, Lynn Bowden Jr., DeVonte Dedmon and Cody Core. By the time the season starts, Miami will likely opt for five or six at the position.
By moving on from Parker, the Dolphins also get the benefit of saving some cap space, as they clear $3.34 million this season. They also clear all of Parker’s $9 million that was supposed to be on the books in 2023. This makes it easier to manage some of the deals that are supposed to jump from 2022 to 2023 even though the league’s salary cap is expected to continue rising.
Parker ends his tenure with the Dolphins as one of the most productive receivers in team history. He had the eighth-most receptions (338), sixth-most receiving yards (4,727) and eighth-most touchdowns (24). Now, unfortunately, Miami will have to see him with extra motivation twice a year when they play New England.
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