At the end of his second NFL season, wide receiver DeVante Parker got a taste of the playoffs.
Miami's first-round pick in 2015, the 14th overall selection, remembers vividly the Dolphins getting the final Wild Card spot and traveling to take on the AFC North Champion Pittsburgh Steelers. Parker caught four passes for 55 yards, but the Dolphins were outgunned 30-12.
Coming off a season in which he nearly doubled his rookie-year totals, Parker thought that the Dolphins would build upon the experience and break through in the near future.
Parker hasn't been to a playoff game since.
That's the main reason he signed a one-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles, putting pen to paper on the deal Monday afternoon. The veteran smiles in disbelief, thinking that seven seasons have gone by since that postseason debut.
"I just want to be a part of that. I just want to do whatever I can to help this team get to where they want to go," said Parker, who spent his first seven seasons in Miami and last two with New England. "Whatever it takes to get there."
The 6-foot-3, 215-pound Parker adds size, savvy, and depth to a wide receiver corps led by A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. Parker has been the featured go-to target in the offense – he led all AFC receivers in yards (1,202) and touchdowns (9) in 2019 – and he's been a complementary piece (finished second in yards and touchdowns for New England in 2022). His focus entering his 10th season is to make the most of the opportunities that come his way in the offense to lighten the burden on quarterback Jalen Hurts.
"He's amazing," Parker said of Hurts. "You've seen what he's done since he's been here. Great, great quarterback. He just knows where to put the ball, where it needs to be. He's great at doing it and I would love having him throw the ball to me."
In 119 career regular-season games, Parker has 402 catches for 5,660 yards (14.1 yards per catch) and 27 touchdowns. Last season in New England, Parker gained 394 yards on 33 receptions and 55 targets. More than 50 percent of his grabs (17 of 33) resulted in a first down.
Parker doesn't forget that the best game of his career came at Philadelphia's expense in that 2019 season to the tune of seven catches for 159 yards and two touchdowns in a wild 37-31 Miami win.
"Now, I'm here with the Eagles. It's crazy, the whole turnaround," he said. "I'm just blessed to be in this situation."
Go inside the NovaCare Complex as the Eagles sign players – both new and returning veterans – for the 2024 season. Check out all of these exclusive photos in one spot.
DeVonta Smith signs his three-year contract extension.
C.J. Uzomah signs a one-year contract.
Jordan Mailata signs his three-year contract extension!
Avonte Maddox signs a one-year contract to return to the Eagles.
Reed Blankenship signs his one-year contract extension.
Parris Campbell signs his one-year contract with the Eagles!
Will Grier signs his one-year contract with the Eagles!
Devin White
Oren Burks
PJ Mustipher
DeVante Parker signs his one-year contract with the Eagles!
Rick Lovato signs his one-year contract!
C.J. Gardner-Johnson signs his three-year contract!
Jake Elliott signs his four-year contract extension!
Braden Mann signs his two-year contract.
Matt Hennessy signs his one-year contract.
Saquon Barkley signs his three-year contract.
Bryce Huff signs his three-year contract.
Zack Baun signs his one-year contract.
Brandon Graham is back for a 15th season.
Landon Dickerson signs his four-year extension.
The Barkleys: Saquon, his girlfriend Anna, his son Saquon Jr., and daughter, Jada.
Avonte is back for his seventh season in Philly!
Guess who's back!?
Bryce is a Bird!
Saquon Barkley is an Eagle!
Zack Baun makes it official.
Matt Hennessy and his wife, Toni.
Devin White celebrates the moment with his mom, Coesha.
Devin White
Oren Burks
DeVonta Smith and his daughter, Kyse.
Oren Burks and his wife, Jocelyn, who are expecting their first child this summer.
Running back on the field, super dad off the field!
Landon celebrates with his wife, Brooke.
The Grahams: Brandon, his wife Carlyne, his daughter Emerson, and son, Bryson
4 more years for No. 4.
Jordan Mailata meets with the media after signing his extension.
Family on 3!
Landon Dickerson addresses the media.
Putting pen to paper!
Year 15 feels so good!
The Grahams: Brandon, his wife Carlyne, his daughter Emerson, and son, Bryson
It's official!
C.J. Gardner-Johnson and team dog, Reggie.
All aboard the Blankenship!
That's 6 contracts for BG with the Birds!
Vice President of Sports Medicine/Head Athletic Trainer Tom Hunkele meets with Zack Baun and Bryce Huff.
Jake Elliott meets with the media.
Zack Baun meets with Player Resource Coordinator/Assistant Director of Player Engagement Kathy Mair and Reggie.
C.J. Gardner-Johnson talks with reporters.
Bryce Huff meets with Associate Performance Nutrition Coordinator Stephanie Coppola and Head Strength and Conditioning Coach Fernando Noriega.
C.J. Uzomah is happy to be in Philly!
DeVante Parker meets with the media after signing his contract.
Bryce Huff arrives at the NovaCare Complex.
Smitty addresses the media after signing his contract extension.
Jordan Mailata and his wife, Niki.
Matt Hennessy looks forward to wearing Midnight Green!
Bryce Huff tours the locker room at the NovaCare Complex with Vice President of Equipment Operations Greg Delimitros.
Zack Baun arrives at the NovaCare Complex.
Rick Lovato is the third-longest-tenured member on the Eagles' roster.
Zack Baun meets the media.
