Jets Targeting Ex Patriots' Receiver?
Could a hated rival's misfortune become Gang Green's opportunity?
For the receiver-needy New York Jets, the news surrounding veteran pass-catcher DeVante Parker's impending release from the New England Patriots may actually raise an eyebrow or two in East Rutherford. While the 31-year-old struggled for much of his tenure north of I-95, he is still capable of providing the type of contested-catch prowess to complement Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Creator: Ashley Landis | Credit: AP
At his best, Parker is a true vertical presence on the perimeter, capable of winning his matchups both on the outside and downfield. The 6-3, 219-pound product of Louisville has the size and the speed to instantly make an impact on the Jets passing offense. Despite a long injury history, Parker’s talent and potential upside are worth the risk. His most productive season came in 2019 as a member of the Miami Dolphins, where he compiled 72 catches on 128 targets for 1202 yards, and nine touchdowns. In 2021, the 29-year-old finished with 40 catches for 515 yards and two touchdowns, his final season with the Fins.
Unfortunately, Parker's two-year stint with New England did not carry the same success. Following his acquisition via trade in April 2022, Parker played in 26 of a possible 34 games. During that time, he compiled only 64 catches for 933 yards and three touchdowns. While Parker's production had clearly waned from his time with Miami, New England's anemic offensive output likely contributed to his regression. Given his recent struggles, the AFC East battle-tested Parker may be willing to sign with an expected contender, such as the Jets, on a more team-friendly contract.
In the wake of Rodgers’ season-ending torn Achilles in Week 1 last season, New York’s pass-catchers struggled due to poor quarterback play and ineffective talent management. In fact, Pro Football Focus ranked them 31 of 32 NFL teams. The exception to the rule, star receiver Garrett Wilson, caught 95 passes for 1,042 yards and three touchdowns.
However, the Jets failed to receive notable contributions from the remaining components of their positional depth chart — most notably Allen Lazard, who despite signing a four-year, $44 million deal with New York last offseason, logged only 23 catches for 311 yards and one touchdown.
Perhaps aligning alongside a future Pro Football Hall of Famer in Rodgers may be just the shot in the arm Parker needs to resurrect his career.
Per the terms of his release, Parker may begin negotiating with teams immediately, while his release will not become official until the start of the new NFL year on Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET.
