With the NFL draft right around the corner, the Eagles haven’t exactly been impressing in the wide receiving department. The only major signing has been Zach Pascal — an uninspiring depth player with a limited ceiling — while major targets like Juju Smith-Schuster, D.J. Chark, and Allen Robinson found other pastures.
Of course, additions may soon be on the way. According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, Philadelphia is among several teams that have shown interest in Miami Dolphins’ wide receiver DeVante Parker. Jackson noted it’s currently unclear what the Dolphins plan to do with him.
Parker, 29, appeared in just 10 games last year, catching 40 receptions for 515 yards and two touchdowns. Over his career, Parker has 4,727 yards and 24 touchdowns, though he’s only reached over 1,000 yards in a season once back in 2019.
Parker’s contract is set to run through 2023, where he’ll earn $5.65 million this upcoming season ($8.744 million against the cap) and $5.7 million the next ($9 million against the cap). His dead cap drops from $5.2 million to $2.7 million from 2022 to 2023, however.
It’s obvious why Parker would be on the move. The Dolphins made a major splash by acquiring Tyreek Hill from the Kansas City Chiefs (while giving him a $120 million contract) and now tout a crowded room with Hill, Parker, and young star Jaylen Waddle.
The Dolphins could keep Parker and remain a brutal team offensively, but Hill’s contract might make it tough for the Dolphins to keep all three if they want to continue upgrading elsewhere while having enough cap space to make it happen.
For the Eagles, A Parker Trade Is Risky Move
So, let’s just get this out of the way: Parker is going to miss time. He’s only played 16 games once in his seven-year career, and has missed 20 total games. The Eagles don’t have a great track record with injuries. So this doesn’t seem like a great pair in that respect.
Still, the 6’3″, 219 pound Parker does offer benefits. He’s undoubtedly better than every receiver on the Eagles aside from DeVonta Smith. His age can give some needed veteran leadership to the offensive room, and he would give Hurts another weapon to lean on.
Parker’s injuries could also lower his cost, which the Eagles could be interested in. I certainly can’t see them spending one of their firsts on him, but perhaps a day two (or even day three) pick might be enough to separate Miami from their long-time player.
