One of the most frustrating moves that former Miami Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland made was the selection of Dion Jordan.
Jordan was a defensive end/outside linebacker from Oregon. He was considered a top prospect in the 2013 NFL draft, a freakish athlete who could be molded into a quality player. The Dolphins picked outside the top 10 that season, so they had no real chance of Jordan falling to them. Ireland was being aggressive in an attempt to win that season so he could keep his job. As such, he made a big trade to move up to the third overall pick, where he was able to select Jordan.
Nobody expected the Dolphins to take Jordan. When they traded up, it would have made sense if they did so for offensive lineman Lane Johnson. Jordan wasn't considered a need, nor would he be likely to make a huge impact in a situational role because he wasn't a refined pass rusher.
It was a major hit to the idea that you should always take the player who is considered to be the best available regardless of need. While Ireland is long gone and the Dolphins didn't trade up to make their first selection in this year's draft, their selection of Davante Parker will have undoubtedly reminded fans of the move for Jordan.
Parker is a wide receiver who played at Louisville in college. He fell to the 14th pick of the 2014 draft where the Dolphins were waiting to take him. Parker wasn't an expected choice, because the Dolphins had already invested in Kenny Stills, Jordan Cameron and Greg Jennings in free agency with Jarvis Landry emerging in his second season. Instead, the Dolphins were expected to select an offensive lineman, linebacker or defensive back to address more glaring needs.
To worsen matters for the Dolphins, Parker suffered a foot injury before the season began. He wasn't handed a starting spot and he couldn't even compete for one because he was sidelined through training camp. When Parker returned to health, he had fallen further down the depth chart as Rishard Matthews ascended into a primary role. At the same time Parker was trying to earn his spot, the Dolphins were firing coaches and altering philosophies under Dan Campbell.
He didn't have any real chance to make an impact early in his rookie season.
It took until Week 12 for Parker's opportunity to come. Matthews suffered an injury early on against the New York Jets so Parker assumed his role in the rotation. He had registered receptions previously, but this was the first time that the rookie would get an extended workload. Although he caught four passes for 80 yards and a touchdown, it wasn't a strong display from the receiver.
The problem for Parker last week was that he wasn't making the receptions he was drafted to make. Parker is a tall receiver who isn't particularly exlosive but is quick enough to run routes effectively downfield. He is supposed to win with his ball skills at the catch point, making contested catches and important plays in tight spaces. On his first target last week, Ryan Tannehill hit him with a perfect pass on a post route.
Tannehill put the ball in a spot that led Parker away from the defensive back covering him and didn't lead him too far into the arriving safety. He had time to catch the ball and protect himself from the incoming hit.
Parker couldn't pull the ball in. He didn't show any discomfort in how he tracked and approached the ball, but he did watch it bounce off of his hands and appeared to be wary of the arriving defender. This was a focus play. Focus may be an issue for Parker considering how little he has played, but it's not an issue that can be excused if it continues to rear its head. Some players simply struggle to consistently catch the ball in these situations and you shouldn't presume any receiver will do it until he shows he can.
On two more occasions, Parker couldn't make plays he should make.
The second play was similar to the first in terms of where Parker ran his route to and the service he was provided by his quarterback. Tannehill put the ball in a spot where Parker could fend off the cornerback and escort it into his possession. This play was more concerning than the previous one for one simple reason, it failed because of a physical ability.
When Parker was measured and weighed at the combine, he checked in at 6'3" and 218 lbs. However, while he has impressive size, he doesn't show off similar strength.
On this play, Parker gained positioning against the defensinve back and put him on his back with a subtle adjustment just before the ball arrived. He had played his route perfectly to set himself up for a reception. As the ball arrived, the cornerback worked through the back of Parker and was aggressive in pursuit of the ball. He couldn't touch the ball, but he did disrupt Parker enough to prevent the receiver from making the reception.
Parker needed to be stronger here to hold his ground. Just because he was contacted doesn't mean that he has to concede ground or control. The best ball-winning receivers in the league rely on stout bodies to fend off defensive backs and absorb hits while bringing the ball in.
Later in the game, Parker ran a slant route into traffic. There was an incoming safety who could potentially have hit him, but the defender attempted to play the ball instead of the receiver. Parker definitely saw him, because it was that defender that put him off. The receiver was tentative in how he attempted to pull the ball in, instead watching it bounce off of his hands for another incompletion. This is a focus play again, but it's also a play that shows fear.
Parker didn't go strong for the ball even though he wasn't going to be hit. He should have been going hard for the ball even if the safety was going to hit him. To be a possession receiver, you need to be willing to make those types of plays. Parker isn't a burner, he was drafted to be a possession receiver with some big play ability and precision on the intermediate level of the passing game.
His first reception against the Jets came when he was schemed open on an intermediate crossing route for a first down. His second came on a slant route when Tannehill hit him in stride with perfect timing to exploit the zone coverage. The third was a toe-tapping reception by the sideline and his fourth, his touchdown reception, came when the Dolphins slackened coverage and Parker turned an out route into a touchdown by making two defenders miss in space. That play came in garbage time with just seconds left on the clock.
Bryant's game against the Ravens was more impressive. He was targetted six times. One of those targets was uncatchable, while another couldn't be caught because Parker slipped in his route. He caught the remaining three for 63 yards and a touchdown.
His first reception came late in the first quarter. Parker lined up to the near side of the field against off coverage. The defensive back was playing man and Parker was running a slant route on 3rd-and-6. Tannehill threw the ball on time to a spot where he expected Parker to be. The receiver ran through the ball in open space for a first down.
That catch preceded his touchdown reception. After struggling so much with contested catches the previous week, Parker made one of the best receptions the Dolphins have seen since they drafted Tannehill. The quarterback found him on time with a high pass on a post route. Parker attacked the ball aggressively and was able to pull it in before controlling the ball all the way to the ground.
It was a spectacular play from the young receiver, the kind that undoubtedly inspired confidence in everyone who is anticipating that he enters next season as Tannehill's main target.
In the fourth quarter, the Dolphins offense needed to get a first down before the two minute warning while playing with the lead. They faced a 3rd-and-7 and Tannehill looked Parker's way again. The receiver ran a deep in route against zone coverage. Tannehill hit him with a perfect pass, on time. Parker caught the ball into his body before tensing his body to protect the ball from the incoming hit. The receiver knew he was going to take a hit in this situation, but focused on protecting the ball to complete the play.
This play wasn't as difficult as some of the previous ones. It definitely wasn't as difficult as the touchdown reception but the same can be said for a couple of the plays he didn't make against the Jets.
Its still extremely early with Parker, obviously. Injuries and his situation have essentially taken away his rookie season. He will have this upcoming four game stretch to determine how hyped he will be for drafts next season, so it will be important to track his progress. It's clear that there is some significant talent in his skill set, but question marks over his consistency should remain if he continues to struggle at the catch point.
Although he's tall with fluid athleticism, Parker shouldn't be mistaken for Martavis Bryant. He won't be able to overcome inconsistency with explosiveness or consistently spectacular catches if his Lousville tape is anything to go by.
Who becomes the next head coach for the Dolphins shouldn't have a major impact on Parker unless they employ someone who is set on becoming an extremely run-heavy team. In today's league, few teams are looking to go in that direction and it's unlikely that the Dolphins look to considering their recent moves. Tannehill shouldn't be going anywhere and despite his statistical output this season, he is a quality quarterback who can get the most out of his receiving options.
The Dolphins need to upgrade their offensive line, but if Parker can be a reliable starter, the receiving corps should be effective in a more traditional scheme.
