A final appreciation of DeVante Parker’s excellent 2019 adventure
Ryan Fitzpatrick deservedly was the Dolphins team MVP in 2019.
But DeVante Parker probably won the year. He certainly won over his many skeptics.
Parker capped an impressive season with perhaps the best game of his career, roasting Stephon Gilmore — who’s in the running to be the league’s defensive player of the year — and the Patriots for 137 yards on eight catches. Sunday marked his fourth 100-yard day in the Dolphins’ final seven games.
“I thought DeVante played well,” Dolphins coach Brian Flores said. “I kind of challenged him earlier this week about this matchup with Steph. And I thought he stepped up to that challenge and played well. Made a lot of plays and we needed them all.
Those plays put him in some rare company.
Parker finished 2019 with a career-high 1,202 yards, which were not only fifth most in the NFL this season, but sixth most in Dolphins history. The company he now keeps: Mark Clayton, Mark Duper, Irving Fryar and Brandon Marshall.
Parker — who’s somehow not even a Pro Bowl alternate — also had nine touchdown catches, which were tied for fourth most in the NFL. The only other player with 1,200 or more yards and at least nine touchdowns? Michael Thomas, who’s the best receiver in football.
Again, how is Parker not going to Orlando next month?
Well, two reasons:
1. The Dolphins, even after a late push, were still a 5-11 club. Team success usually translates into Pro Bowl appearances, and vice versa.
2. Parker did his best work after most of the ballots were in.
Since returning from the bye in Week 6, Parker caught 62 passes for 1,001 yards (16.1 per-catch average) and eight touchdowns.
“I had a productive season,” Parker told reporters after Sunday’s game. “I know what I can do. So I’m not surprised by anything. The coaches believe in me. They trust me. And I come down with big plays.”
Parker usually doesn’t say much — teammate Albert Wilson called him a “quiet monster” Sunday — but was in a chirpy mood on the field Sunday.
He jawed with Gilmore after big plays. Did Gilmore get the message?
“I’m pretty sure he did,” Parker responded.
And what message should he have received?
That Parker, in Year 5, is a bona fide top 10 receiver in the NFL.
“He made good catches, made some tough plays,” Gilmore said. “He had a better day today.”
This story was originally published December 30, 2019 at 8:41 AM.
