PALM BEACH, Fla. — Miami Dolphins GM Chris Grier says he isn’t actively shopping former first-round wideout DeVante Parker. However, the Dolphins’ top football executive isn’t ruling out a potential trade for the receiver. Grier has received calls for Parker in wake of the blockbuster deal for All-Pro receiver Tyreek Hill.
“Yeah, we like having good players, you know? So we feel really good about that receiver room,” Grier told reporters at the NFL’s annual owners’ meeting on Monday. “I think the expectation is he’ll be here, but we always listen. I’ve always said, here, the guys know me, we always listen for all players on the roster.”
Potential DeVante Parker landing spots
Parker is due a very affordable $5.7 million salary in the final year of his contract. Given the way the free agent market has shaken out for wideouts, Parker’s salary is quite the bargain, making him a valuable trade asset this offseason.
The Dolphins traded for Hill last week and signed wideout Cedrick Wilson Jr. to a long-term deal the week before. The team also invested a first-round pick in Jaylen Waddle less than a year ago. With a new coaching staff and offense in place, the writing seems to be on the wall for a potential Parker departure.
Below are five logical landing spots for Parker in a trade.
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles were interested in Allen Robinson and Christian Kirk during the early days of free agency but struck out on pricing. With Parker — a player they’ve been linked to in the past — possibly on the block for an affordable price, trade-happy GM Howie Roseman may make a call. The Eagles have 10 draft picks in April — including three first-round selections — so shipping an early Day 3 pick to Miami for Parker would make sense.
Parker has dealt with his fair share of inconsistency and injuries throughout his career, but there’s no doubt he would complement DeVonta Smith and Quez Watkins as an X receiver.
Arizona Cardinals
With DeAndre Hopkins coming off injury and A.J. Green still in free agency, the Cardinals could afford to upgrade their depth chart. Kirk was overpaid by Jacksonville, but Parker could replace him at a cheap price in the desert. With the Cardinals on the cusp of contending, Parker would make sense in their spread-heavy offense.
Jacksonville Jaguars
With DJ Chark headed to Detroit, the Jaguars could use an upgrade at X receiver. Parker is cheap, and Jacksonville still has some money to spend. This offseason has to be about surrounding Trevor Lawrence and Doug Pederson with talent. Parker could come in and work with Kirk and Marvin Jones at wideout pretty easily. The Jaguars have a dozen picks and aren’t likely to use them all. Plus, Pederson is quite fond of veteran playmakers.
Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons have little for Marcus Mariota to work with at receiver. If Parker has any say in where he goes, Atlanta could be an ideal landing spot from a targets and receptions perspective. The Falcons can afford to slip Parker’s measly salary on their books, and he’d immediately become Mariota’s top weapon on the outside.
Detroit Lions
The Lions have very little at wideout, similarly to the Falcons. If the Lions are looking to upgrade their no-name group, led by Chark and Josh Reynolds, Parker could make sense as a shot in the dark. If the Lions are serious about figuring out Jared Goff, then surrounding him with receiving talent is ideal. Parker probably could be had for a fourth- or fifth-round pick.