DeVante Parker’s career season continues with another Miami Dolphins milestone
DeVante Parker has joined a small fraternity in Miami Dolphins history.
With his 51-yard catch on a first-quarter flea flicker against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, Parker became just the 10th player in franchise history with 1,000 receiving yards in a single season.
The others: Jarvis Landry (2016 and 2015), Brian Hartline (2013 and 2012), Brandon Marshall (2011 and 2010), Chris Chambers (2005), Tony Martin (1999), O.J. McDuffie (1998), Irving Fryar (1994 and 1993), Mark Clayton (1991, 1989, 1988, 1986 and 1984) and Mark Duper (1991, 1986, 1984 and 1983).
Parker capped the drive with a 7-yard touchdown catch three plays later, his ninth of the season.
“People see what I can do now,” Parker said this week. “I’ve got everybody on my side now.”
It indeed has been a breakout year for the 26-year-old. Parker, the Dolphins’ first-round pick in 2015, has played in every game this season (including 13 starts) and has a chance to play in all 16 games for the first time in his five-year NFL career.
Parker had four touchdown catches in the three weeks leading up to Sunday and also had a run earlier in the season in which he caught a touchdown in four of five games.
His 159 yards in Miami’s 37-31 win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Dec. 1 is a career high.
The end result: A four-year, $40 million contract extension.
“DeVante has definitely made a late surge as the season has gone on,” quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick said. “He’s gotten better and better as the year has gone on, so I don’t know that that played in his favor at all; but we’re really happy that he’s on our team. I’m really happy I get to throw the ball to him, and I think he knows that based on being rewarded with a contract and just the way that we all feel about him in this building. ... I know he just wants to get this thing moving in the right direction and I think he’s been a great player for us this year.”
He may not be done with single-season milestones. If Parker catches one more touchdown pass, he will be just the seventh Dolphins player ever with at least 10 touchdown receptions in a season.
Mike Wallace in 2014 was the last to do it in a Miami uniform. Chambers (2005 and 2003), Clayton (1991, 1988, 1986 and 1984), Duper (1986 and 1983), Nat Moore (1978 and 1977) and Paul Warfield (1973 and 1971) also did it for the Dolphins.
This story was originally published December 22, 2019 at 1:24 PM.
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