FOOTBALL – Former Dolphins WR DeVante Parker: ‘I chose to get traded’ to Patriots 
Squeezed out of the picture in Miami following the trade for Tyreek Hill and the signing of Cedrick Wilson, DeVante Parker requested the New England Patriots be his next destination.
The Dolphins acquiesced to his request.
“I chose to trade here,” Parker said Thursday according to ESPN. “My agent [Jimmy Gould] called me and told me about the situation and team options. I was a patriot at the beginning of my list. I’m excited to be able to accomplish everything. . “
In a rare intra-departmental transaction, the dolphin sent Parker and the 2022 fifth round pick to the Patriots for the 2023 third round pick.
The Dolphins didn’t have to ship Parker to his preferred destination, given it was a division rival, but general manager Chris Grier said recently that he wanted to do right by the player.
Parker moves to Foxborough and acts as an Xreceiver on the Mac Jones attack line. After being selected for the first round of 2015 in Miami’s seven seasons, Parker rushed 4,727 yards and 24TD with 338 catches.
He flashed playmaking potential, including a 1,202-yard, nine-TD 2019 campaign. But injuries and inconsistencies plagued the boundary receiver.
In New England, Parker fills the role of an outside target who can go get the pigskin, win on the second level and excel at back-shoulder catches. It’s a smart flier for Bill Belichick, as Parker brings experience and talent to a position of need. He also has the flexibility and versatility the Pats love in their playmakers.
Parker already got in some throwing sessions with Jones since the April 2 trade went down.
“My impression of Mac: He has a nice arm on him. He closed it,” he said. “It was a great training for all of us. It was good to get off early and throw with him in time. Mac is a good quarterback. The way he throws the ball, it’s not tough. He throws a catchable ball. It’s something I’m looking forward to during the season.”
Parker joins Jakobi Meyers, Kendrick Bourne and Nelson Agholor atop the Patriots depth chart. N’Keal Harry also remains on the roster.
