DeVante Parker will be the Miami Dolphins’ guy next year

Miami Dolphins receiver Devante Parker has had himself a very frustrating rookie year this year. He was drafted in the first round this year to be the teams big-play receiver but was hampered by a foot injury early on. It wasn’t until the Dolphins’ 11th game of the season that Parker was able to finally show why he was the team’s 1st-round pick.

On the day, he had four catches for 80 yards, including a 33-yard touchdown catch in a loss to the New York Jets. In the next game, against the Baltimore Ravens, he showed more of that big-play ability with a 38-yard TD. Then he got red-hot for the last three games of the season with 13 catches for 286 yards and a TD.

The last game was his best as he had 105 yards on five catches and jump-ball that led to a 46-yard touchdown. And that effort was very helpful toward the Dolphins beating the New England Patriots 20-10. For the season, Parker had 26 catches for 494 yards, and three touchdowns.

His last three games in particular left Dolphins fans to wonder how well he could have done if he stayed healthy. But Parker has plenty of time to come as Ryan Tannehill is a young quarterback he’ll gel with over time. With a healthy Parker and anyone but Joe Philbin as they’re head coach, look for the Dolphins to jump up the standings in 2016.