The Dolphins are sending DeVante Parker to the Patriots (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). Once finalized, the trade will see Parker and a 2022 fifth-round pick go to the Patriots in exchange for a 2023 third-round pick. 
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Bill Belichick & Co. have done plenty of scouting on Parker, a longtime staple of their AFC East rival. While his career has been up-and-down, his raw talent is undeniable. He’ll provide the Pats with more veteran support in their WR unit, joining a group that also includes Jakobi Meyers, Kendrick Bourne, Nelson Agholor, N’Keal Harry, Ty Montgomery, Kristian Wilkerson, and Malcolm Perry.
The Dolphins recent acquisition of Tyreek Hill left Parker without a clearly defined role. In turn, Parker’s camp asked the Dolphins to help him find a better landing spot.
“I am truly grateful to the Dolphins and to coach Belichick and [owner] Bob Kraft in their efforts to make this happen,” said Parker’s agent, Jimmy Gould. (Twitter link via Rapoport).
The Dolphins, meanwhile, have bolstered their already impressive stockpile of draft ammo. Even after the Hill blockbuster, they still have two first-round picks, a second-round pick, and, now, two third-round picks in next year’s draft.
The Patriots will assume the balance of Parker’s contract – a $5.65MM base salary in 2022 (with $500K in per-game bonuses) and $5.7MM in 2013 (also with $500K in per-game roster bonuses). However, he’s not owed any guaranteed money, so the Patriots can cut ties whenever they’d like. As Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com tweets, New England was very thorough in its search for a wide receiver, and even had exploratory talks with Odell Beckham Jr. The Pats were also interested in OBJ after he was cut by the Browns in November.
Parker, a 2015 first-round pick, showed serious promise in 2019 with 72 catches, 1,202 yards, and nine touchdowns that year. He hasn’t done nearly as much since, especially following the emergence of Jaylen Waddle last year. In 2021, Parker finished with just 40 grabs for 515 yards and two TDs.
So they get him for something like 2 years, $12 million? The Patriots could still really use a true #1 outside receiver who’s more of a big time play threat, but this gives them something they don’t really have at a good price. Have to think they dump Harry now. And good for the Dolphins to get a decent pick upgrade for a player they didn’t really have room for anymore.
Their having talks with OBJ now so maybe that can give them what they need and find a trade for Harry and Agholor to clear cap space to work on the D
I’d love OBJ on the Pats, and agree that Harry and Nelson need to go.
That’d be great for them but they wouldn’t have OBJ until probably next season?
Y he’s a free agent and last I knew not injured did I miss something
ACL, no?
Torn ACL during the Super Bowl. . .
O ya forgot about that
ya OBJ out until at least week 15
Awful. They couldn’t have traded him to another team. Just help out your rival, great idea
No worries – he’s not that good. On the Pats he’s a #1 , other teams he’s a # 3 … ( Miami, Cincinnati, Chargers, Seattle ) … just to name a few
Don’t know how you put the Bengals in this conversation. Not many receivers in the NFL could break into their top 3. But I get your point
They said the same stuff about Wes Welker ya he had Tom but maybe Mac can bring the best out of Parker (key word: MAYBE)
Parker isn’t a #1 most of time (normally due to injury), but he has filled that role at least one season. He can be good, he just isn’t consistent. I don’t know if Jones is the right QB to fit his style, but if Parker remains healthy, he adds the element that Harry was originally supposed to as a contested catch receiver.
If you think a player no longer has value then trading him to a rival makes the most sense. Unfortunately very few GMs feel secure enough in their job to do that.
Solid trade for the Pats, definitely not a receiver who can create separation which is what Jones really needs. Hopefully BB can address that in the draft and send Agholor and Harry packing.
you’re telling me they couldn’t find an underachieving speedster in round 3?
hello Howie?
If Harry is available I hope the Texans jump on a chance to acquire him for say a 7th.
Still hoping they do the right thing and trade Tunsil and Cooks for draft assets and commit to the rebuild.
Maybe offer the jets cooks for their 3rd rounder and 4th rounder this year. Hes on a 1 year deal.
No way they get a 3rd and a 4th for Cooks they’d be lucky to get a 6th for him
I’m not sure that Cooks would stand to be traded again, for what it’s worth. The last time that his name came up he complained publically, and Cooks is not a player who typically says a lot.
Maybe he would accept a trade to a familiar destination like NE better, or maybe it wouldn’t end up being a problem. But I have a feeling that the Texans would like to keep him, at least for the short term.
He already said he doesn’t want to be traded and if he’s does not to NE he didn’t like his time here and that’s understandable with the Bill and Brady drama going on the last few yrs Brady was here
The Pats are amassing quite the stable of #3 receivers.
We call it the “Green Bay Model” to sound more analyst-y.
Lol, ya everybody better watch out.
Counting stats are down, but his percentages are fairly consistent.
So if Parker had a base salary of 5.7 million in 2013 (as you say) that works out 6.9 million still not too shabby.
It’s not awful for the Dolphins but of all the teams that you could’ve sent him to why another team in your division?
Why not the Eagles, Colts, Falcons, Browns, Ravens or someone like that?
Either way opens up a little more cap space and gets them a better pick. They are still in need of help at LB maybe they now go after Kwon Alexander or Joe Schobert
Hello, Green Bay? How’d you like a proven veteran receiver for a 3rd round pick?
Exactly
I guess Belichick didn’t learn his lesson about overpaying for tomato can WRs after Sanu. Very smart trade for the Dolphins considering that will likely be an early 3rd rounder in 2023
This guy will finally have a decent QB throwing to him!
Not in New England. Unfortunately he goes from one noodle armed Alabama back up to another noodle armed Alabama back up. This guy can’t catch a break.
Mac literally had one of the best rookie passing seasons in NFL history…….but what does that matter?
What matters is that he plays for the Patriots and haters gonna hate. If Rodgers went there, they’d say he’s washed up.
As a life long Phins fan , parker for a third is a steal , for the dolphins , enjoy 5-7 games of sub par play.