Patriots Smart For Signing DeVante Parker to Contract?

The New England Patriots retain a solid receiver in DeVante Parker, while maintaining enough financial flexibility to remain in the hunt for an impact free agent.

FOXBORO — As the New England Patriots reportedly remain key players in the free-agency sweepstakes for five-time All Pro DeAndre Hopkins, they have seemingly solidified the foreseeable future via a receiver currently on their roster. 

Veteran DeVante Parker and the Pats have agreed, per a Wednesday evening NFL Network report, on a three-year contract extension, reportedly worth up to $33 million with $14 million in guarantees and per-game roster bonuses. 

Parker, 30, was about to enter the final year of his contract, before heading for free agency in 2024. In fact, the $6.2 million remaining on his deal was not guaranteed, making him an enticing roster piece to be moved by the Pats prior to the start of the upcoming season. Though the more intricate details of Parker’s new pact with the Pats have yet to be released, it makes his future in Foxboro all but certain. 

However, what might it mean for the Pats pursuit of Hopkins?

Given that both Parker and Hopkins are perimeter "X" receivers [the top option at the position which lines up on the line of scrimmage,] it may seem a bit illogical for New England to sign two alpha pass-catchers with similar skill sets. In short, either Parker or Hopkins would face a reduced role in the Patriots offense, unless one was willing to align off the line as a “Z” receiver. With Parker capable of winning his matchups both on the outside and downfield, he may be the more logical choice as New England’s flanker. 

Though the pairing may be unconventional, both Parker and Hopkins can co-exist on the field in the Patriots offense. 

From a monetary standpoint, it should be noted that Parker’s deal is expected to reduce his salary cap number [per Patriots salary cap expert Miguel Benzan] from its previous $6.2 million. As such, it may potentially create enough space for the Patriots to remain in negotiations with Hopkins, or to pursue another free agent target such as former Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook. 

Still, the question remains: “Why extend Parker now?”

After all, the Louisville product is coming off a season in which he statistically underwhelmed  — logging only 31 catches for 539 yards and three touchdowns, while adding to an already questionable injury history. 

While his extension may be met with some opposition throughout the fan base, there is sufficient evidence to warrant his place within the Pats offense. Parker has both the size and toughness to make contested catches, while giving quarterback Mac Jones a viable red zone target at the receiver position. Not only did he earn 10 contested grabs (each leading to receptions of 20-plus yards,) he also averaged 11.5 yards per target last season. With Jones taking more control over the Pats offense at the line of scrimmage, Parker may be in line to realize his full potential in 2023. 

Perhaps most importantly, Parker is capable of making an impact on the Patriots passing offense under new offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien. Fortunately, it is a system with which he already has familiarity. Parker’s most productive season came in 2019, while playing under former Patriots coaches Brian Flores [head coach] and Chad O’Shea [offensive coordinator.] During that campaign, he compiled 72 catches on 128 targets for 1202 yards, and nine touchdowns. Both the Pats and Parker are hoping that a similar fate befalls him under O’Brien for this season and beyond. 

Accordingly, Parker now settles into a positional depth chart, which includes free-agent addition JuJu Smith-Schuster, veteran Kendrick Bourne, second-year WR Tyquan Thornton, practice squad stalwart Tre Nixon and rookie receivers Demario Douglas and Kayshon Boutte.

Whether the team adds an additional member to the group is still a matter of conjecture. Yet, it is abundantly clear that the Patriots corps of receivers is stronger with Parker in the Foxboro fold. 

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Follow Mike D’Abate on Twitter @mdabateNFL and Listen/Subscribe to his daily podcast: Locked On Patriots

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