The New England Patriots have been desperate to add another receiver to the mix, and they have done so with a trade.
The Patriots traded a 2023 third-round pick to the Miami Dolphins on Saturday for DeVante Parker. They also got a 2022 5th-round pick as part of the deal.
Parker seemed to become expendable for Miami following the team’s acquistions of Tyreek Hill and Cedrick Wilson. He likely would have been fighting Wilson for targets behind Hill and Jaylen Waddle.
Parker had 40 catches for 515 yards and 2 touchdowns in 10 games last season. His 2019 season was his biggest, when he had 72 catches for 1,202 yards and 9 touchdowns. The big 2019 season helped Parker earn a 4-year, $40 million contract extension.
Parker comes with an $8.7 million cap hit for 2022 and $9 million cap hit in 2023.
What makes the trade unusual is that Miami was willing to deal a receiving weapon within the division. This is only the third time the Dolphins have traded a player to the AFC East-rival Patriots since Bill Belichick has run New England. Coincidentally, all three traded players have been wide receivers.
Patriots-Dolphins trade history under BB:
🏈 4/25/03: Miami's '04 second-rounder for '03 3rd-rounder
🏈 3/5/07: WR Wes Welker for 2nd-round/7th-rounder in '07
🏈 4/30/16: 5th-rounder in '16 for two 6th-round picks/7th-rounder
🏈 11/3/20: 2022 7th-rounder for WR Isaiah Ford
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) April 2, 2022
Now New England will have a new weapon to offer Mac Jones, who is entering his second season.
