According to multiple reports, the New England Patriots acquired Miami Dolphins wide receiver DeVante Parker and a 2022 fifth-round pick for a third-round pick in 2023.
Trade terms, per source:
Patriots get WR DeVante Parker and a 2022 5th-round pick.
Dolphins get a 2023 third-round pick.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 2, 2022
It’s a surprising trade for a few reasons. First, we rarely see a trade within the same division. The Patriots and Dolphins are bitter rivals, making it more bizarre that Miami sent New England a talented player to fix one of their biggest weaknesses.
Second, the fact the Dolphins were able to get a third-round pick for Parker is shocking. His best year came in 2019, when he caught 72 passes for 1,202 yards and nine touchdowns, but it was his only season of significant production in his seven-year career. Parker is a first-round bust at this point, and at 29 years old, expecting him to suddenly have a breakthrough moment is misguided. I understand wanting to surround your first-round quarterback (Mac Jones) with as many playmakers as possible, and maybe Parker will provide the big-bodied downfield threat New England’s offense is missing. I just wouldn’t bet on it.