It’s the same topic every offseason for the New England Patriots: Will this be the year that they finally sign an elite receiver? If you ask DeVante Parker, he’d tell you that moment happened last offseason, when he was traded to New England by the Miami Dolphins.
An Instagram post ran down Parker’s 2022 stats and pointed out the veteran receiver being a “top-tier” option for Patriots quarterback Mac Jones, when healthy.
Parker appeared in 13 games and finished the season with 31 catches for 539 yards and three touchdowns. However, the poster seems to believe a change with the offensive play-caller would make a huge difference, and by the looks of it, Parker would agree.
The Patriots receiver responded and agreed that he’s the elite playmaker fans have been clamoring to see on the offensive side of the ball.
DeVante Parker's take on whether the Patriots still lack a top-tier wideout: pic.twitter.com/dDIGyKwbwL
— Dakota Randall (@DakRandallNESN) January 17, 2023
It would be better for the Patriots if Parker really was that guy. That would allow the team to save their resources to address other areas of need on the roster.
But health has been a lingering issue for Parker throughout his career. “If only DeVante Parker could stay healthy” was the oft-used phrase in Miami that could have made a fortune on t-shirts and bumper stickers. But eventually, the team got tired and traded the former first-round draft pick to the Patriots.
And now, Patriots fans are saying the exact same thing.
That isn’t to insinuate that Parker can’t be great in the offense with a competent play-caller. But can he be elite? That might be a stretch for a receiver with only one 1,000-yard season in over seven years.
