Much to the chagrin of many University of Louisville football fans, DeVante Parker wasn’t reunited with Teddy Bridgewater in Thursday night’s NFL Draft.
Don't feel too bad for Parker, who is arguably the greatest wide receiver in program history. He was selected 14th overall - three picks after Bridgewater’s Vikings decided to take Michigan State defensive back Trae Waynes instead of Parker (keeping the Cards former pass-and-catch combo apart) - and his first contract is expected to pay him around $10 million.
The 6-foot-3, 208-pound Parker became the first U of L wide receiver to be taken in the first round and the program’s 12th first-round pick overall.
“I’m so happy for DeVante and his family,” Louisville coach Bobby Petrino said in a statement. “This is a great night, not only for DeVante, but for the University of Louisville football program.”
Parker, a Ballard High School graduate, finished his career with 156 receptions (which ranks seventh all-time in school history), 2,775 receiving yards (fourth all-time) and 33 touchdown receptions (which ties for No. 1 all-time).
He likely would hold nearly every school receiving record if not for the fact that he missed the first seven games of his senior season due to a foot injury he suffered late in fall camp. Parker, however, made up for lost time. He finished with 43 catches (which ranked second on the squad) for a team-high 855 yards and a team-high tying five TDs. He had a career-high 214 receiving yards in Louisville’s loss to then-No. 1 Florida State and also had six receptions for 180 yards and three touchdowns in UofL’s 44-40 triumph over archrival Kentucky.
“DeVante worked extremely hard to get back from his injury early in the season and dedicated himself to becoming one of the best receivers in the country, which was evident by him being the No. 14 pick in the draft. I wish him luck with the Miami Dolphins.”
Some mock drafts had Parker going 11th to Minnesota, and others had him going to the Cleveland Browns at 12th. Luckily the latter didn’t happen. In Miami he joins a receiving corps that has changed dramatically in the offseason.
The Dolphins traded veteran Mike Wallace and cut Brian Hartline and Brandon Gibson, but acquired Kenny Stills in a trade and have signed veteran Greg Jennings (as well as tight end Jordan Cameron) to join emerging young wideout Jarvis Landry. All the new additions should make life easier for quarterback Ryan Tannehill (a.k.a. Mr. Lauren Tannehill), who has improved steadily in each of his first three seasons.
It’s not out of the realm of possibility, especially given the frequency with which players change teams nowadays, that Parker and Bridgewater might be reunited somewhere down the road in Minnesota, Miami or elsewhere. Cards fans can continue to keep their fingers crossed until that time.
Photo courtesy Miami Dolphins Facebook Page
