The Philadelphia Eagles emerged as one of the more aggressive spenders in the 2024 offseason, all to shake off the late-season collapse they endured to close out 2023.
Included in their spending spree? Veteran wide receiver DeVante Parker, who’s now coming to a team that ended 11-7 after starting the year at 10-1. It’s time to get to know the newest member of the Eagles’ offense.
Who Is New Eagles Wide Receiver DeVante Parker?
Philadelphia is adding a former top-15 draft selection from the 2015 NFL Draft class.
Parker delivered a standout career at Louisville, where he caught 156 total passes for 2,775 yards and scored 33 times. During his run with the Cardinals, Parker posted two seasons of 10 or more receiving touchdowns.
One of his breakout games occurred on Dec. 5, 2013 against No. 23 Cincinnati — Parker tallied nine catches for 104 yards and caught two passes in the end zone from fellow UL great Teddy Bridgewater.
Parker impressed scouts and front-office personnel by blazing his 40-yard dash in 4.45 seconds at the NFL Combine. He went on to go 14th overall to the Miami Dolphins in the ’15 NFL Draft. That class saw Parker become the third WR taken off the board as Amari Cooper and Kevin White went before him at No. 4 and No. 7, respectively.
Parker eventually ended up with the rival New England Patriots in a 2022 trade that involved a fifth-round pick in exchange.
DeVante Parker’s Contract Details
This time, Parker wasn’t involved in a trade deal when he came to the Eagles.
The Patriots ended up releasing him on March 14 — one day after official signings across the league were completed. But on the same day, Parker agreed to a one-year contract with the Eagles.
As part of his deal, Parker will earn $1.2 million, with that same total in base salary. There are no details of his guaranteed money per Spotrac. However, he carries a $1,210,000 cap hit with his Philadelphia contract.
Parker once agreed to a two-year extension for $10.8 million with the Patriots. His base salary was set at $5.4 million. But by releasing him, the Eagles managed to sign him on a less expensive contract while adding some needed depth to their WR room.
DeVante Parker’s Career Stats
Parker, 31, will be entering season 10 with the Eagles. But he’s never started in every regular-season game of his career.
The most starts he had was 14 (2019). That was during his best season yet as a pro — which witnessed career highs of 72 receptions, 1,202 yards, and nine touchdowns.
He ended up spending seven seasons with the Dolphins. Parker snatched 338 of his 402 career receptions in Miami. In addition to his receptions, he accumulated 4,727 yards and crossed the end zone 24 times.
Parker managed to start in 24 total games for the Patriots. However, he never caught more than 34 receptions in both seasons with New England. He ended up scoring three total touchdowns in a Pats uniform, which was all in 2022.
Parker ended his Pats run by catching 33 passes for 394 yards and zero touchdowns in ’23. The former Louisville Cardinal is bringing with him 5,660 receiving yards and 27 career touchdowns. He’s averaged 14.1 yards per catch.
But for quarterback Jalen Hurts and Co., Parker is adding some needed length in the receiver department at 6’3″, 215 pounds. The Eagles’ top targets — A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith — stand below 6’1″.
KEEP READING: Analyzing Philadelphia’s New Approach at WR3
Parker is one of two new Eagle wideouts for ’24. Former New York Giants WR Parris Campbell signed on March 21.
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