The New England Patriots are officially entering rebuild mode, and they could continue their youth movement by dangling wide receiver DeVante Parker in trade talks. Originally entering the NFL as a first-round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, the Lousiville product spent most of his early years as a reliable depth option. However, he exploded in 2019, recording 72 receptions for 1,202 yards and nine touchdowns from Ryan Fitzpatrick.
DeVante Parker spent two more years in Miami after his monster season before the Patriots acquired him via trade. After recording 539 yards in 2022, the nine-year veteran had a rough 2023. Frustrated with both his role and quarterback, Parker finished the season with just 33 receptions for 394 yards and no touchdowns.
After this disappointing season, the Patriots are reportedly looking to trade DeVante Parker for whatever they can get. According to Jeff Howe of The Athletic, New England is willing to make a move even if they could only get a late-round pick for Parker’s services.
New England Patriots Looking To Trade DeVante Parker (Report)
There are quite a few reasons the Patriots would like to trade DeVante Parker. For one, they’re trying to build a young core, and there isn’t a place on this team for a wide receiver entering his age-31 season. With this in mind, the Patriots will only take a $3 million dead cap hit if they trade Parker – if they cut him, that number jumps to $6 million.
DeVante Parker’s 2019 season was fantastic, but it was a one-year outlier. In reality, Parker is an adequate depth option who can play a limited role as a sideline threat and jump-ball specialist. Any team acquiring DeVante Parker in a trade would only be on the hook for $3.3 million, which is a price worth paying for this type of player.
Possible Team Fits
New York Giants
The New York Giants need some wide receivers, and while DeVante Parker won’t solve all their problems, they might as well trade for him. Nobody on the depth chart can consistently overpower defenders at the catch point, and Parker can serve as a reliable option for an offense that struggles to convert in red zone opportunities.
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints don’t have the financial liberty to go after expensive free agents like Mike Evans, so they might as well trade for a cheap option like DeVante Parker. With Michael Thomas on his way out, New Orleans needs to find another receiver opposite Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed. Paker complements these two players well, and his impressive size makes him a good match for Derek Carr. Carr struggles in the red zone, but perhaps he can improve by just throwing jump balls and asking Parker to make plays on contest passes.
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears have a great separator in D.J. Moore, a reliable tight end in Cole Kmet, and not much else. Caleb Williams should hit the ground running in the NFL, but the Bears should also try to surround the rookie with more playmakers. DeVante Paker is not a great weapon, but if the Bears trade for him, the receiver can help the rookie overcome his inevitable growing pains. Parker has a gift for turning interceptable passes into receptions, and that could come in use for Chicago.
Baltimore Ravens
Just like the Bears, the Baltimore Ravens need a perimeter threat that can win contested passes. Zay Flowers showed plenty of promise as a rookie, but he’s more a separator than a jump ball specialist. With several key free agents hitting the market, the Ravens might have no choice but to trade for a cheap veteran like DeVante Parker.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers are likely to release Mike Williams, which means Los Angeles will need to find a new perimeter receiver. Quentin Johnston didn’t do much of anything as a rookie, and while it’s too early to completely give up on him, the team should think about a DeVante Parker trade. Parker and Williams have similar games, and while Williams is the better player, Parker is the better value when considering cost.
Main Photo: Isaiah J. Downing – USA Today Sports
