12 Post-NFL Draft Situations to Watch at the Wide Receiver Position for Fantasy Football
Can DeVante Parker Emerge in Miami?
Prior to the 2015 NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins had already done an admirable job surrounding Ryan Tannehill with the weapons needed to help him take the next step in his career development.
They had drafted standout receiver Jarvis Landry in the 2014 draft, traded for young speedster Kenny Stills, and signed Jordan Cameron in a coup from right under the Browns. So why did they feel the need to draft Louisville wide receiver DeVante Parker with the 14th overall pick of this year's draft?
Because despite the firepower already on the Dolphins roster, DeVante brings to the table an explosiveness unmatched by anyone currently on this team.
As our own Graham Barfield described earlier this offseason, Parker possesses an ideal combination of size, speed, and explosiveness which directly translates into on-field success.
Despite playing in just six games last season due to a foot injury that required surgery to repair, Parker recorded 43 receptions for 855 yards and 5 touchdowns (good for a 7.2/142.5/0.83 per-game line) in his last collegiate season. Beyond this, his consistency during this stretch was insane: in only one game last season did Parker record fewer than 6 receptions or 120 yards receiving.
This upcoming season, Parker will bring this same explosive, yet consistent, all-around game to the Miami Dolphins. While I expect Cameron and Jarvis to share the possession receiver role for this team, and Kenny Stills to take the top off defenses with his speed, Parker may be the man that surprises everyone and takes over as Tannehill's number one option sooner rather than later.
Parker may be overlooked this season with all eyes on the big two in Amari Cooper and Kevin White. Use this oversight to your advantage. If you can grab Parker in the middle rounds of your draft, you may have yourself a player capable of putting up the same rookie numbers as the aforementioned studs at a far more palatable cost.