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After spending the first seven years of his career with the Miami Dolphins, veteran wide receiver DeVante Parker was traded to the New England Patriots this offseason.
The wideout joins a muddled New England receiving room with no clear number one option. In addition to returning weapons Jakobi Meyers, Kendrick Bourne, and Nelson Agholor, the team also drafted rookie Tyquan Thornton in the second round of this year's draft.
No one has emerged as a true lead receiver for the Patriots since legendary quarterback Tom Brady's departure from Foxborough two offseasons ago. Parker will have an opportunity to fill that hole for the squad in 2022 and become sophomore passer Mac Jones's primary target after struggling with injuries in Miami.
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Patriots Wide Receiver Options for 2022
New England has remodeled their receiving corps somewhat this offseason. The team traded away their disappointing former first-round selection N'Keal Harry and drafted Tyquan Thornton in the second round out of Baylor. Thornton is known for his blazing speed, and he made a promising first impression in the team's first preseason game against the Giants.
Jakobi Meyers was New England's top receiver last season, grabbing 83 passes for 866 yards but just two touchdowns. He returns, as does Kendrick Bourne, who was second on the team with 55 receptions and 800 receiving yards. Nelson Agholor should also be a factor, although his production was lower at just 37 catches for 473 yards. Parker's 2019 season, in which he had 72 receptions for 1,202 yards and 9 touchdowns, exceeds the production of the other weapons in New England; if he can regain that form, he'd emerge as the top option.
The Patriots acquired WR DeVante Parker from the Miami Dolphins, per @RapSheet
Since 2019, Parker (81.6) is PFF’s 26th highest graded WR🔥 pic.twitter.com/qqgXlHXdLd
— PFF NE Patriots (@PFF_Patriots) April 2, 2022
Will DeVante Parker Be The WR1 For The New England Patriots?
The current outlook of New England's receiving corps is murky. On the team's official website, the unofficial depth chart does list Parker alongside Bourne as the two starting wideouts. However, with the number of viable receiving options on the team, and with Meyers leading the squad last season, this is surely far from settled.
Further complicating matters is the below Tweet, which suggests that Parker is behind Meyers and Agholor on the unofficial depth chart. The contradictory information really shows that there is a high degree of uncertainty surrounding the situation, and none of the receivers are sure bets to be primary options.
Patriots unofficial depth chart, after the retirement of RB James White: pic.twitter.com/9U5RlB0VJu
— Al Butler (@ALaboutSports) August 15, 2022
Where Should Fantasy Managers Draft DeVante Parker in 2022?
DeVante Parker has had an ADP of 151.25 overall since May, 62nd among receivers in that time span. He is also 53rd in the latest RotoBaller wide receiver rankings and 124th overall, suggesting he has value in the 13th round where he is being taken. Other receivers near his ADP are D.J. Chark, Joshua Palmer, Jameson Williams, and Jahan Dotson, none of whom, unlike Parker, seem to have a viable path to being their team's WR1 barring injuries.
The #Dolphins gave the #Patriots DeVante Parker for a draft pick swap and he's been making great plays like these all camp.
Could end up being an excellent addition for Mac Jones.pic.twitter.com/4bYIJ3csrV
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) July 29, 2022
Parker has had strong stretches of production in his career but is now being overlooked on draft day. When it comes to filling out your fantasy squad's bench, Parker is a decent choice in the later rounds of your draft.
DeVante Parker 2022 Fantasy Football Outlook
Parker is currently slated to make 46 grabs for 600 yards and four touchdowns this season. With a healthy season, which is admittedly a concern given his history, Parker should surpass these numbers without too much of an issue. That also depends on Jones's development under center, though.
With a new set of scenery, Parker could smash his expectations this season. He won't be a league-winner, but the chances he returns some excellent value at his current price are strong.
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