Week 3 at Dallas Cowboys
After leading the team in receiving yards in Week 1, DeVante Parker really struggled to do anything last Sunday. We mean REALLY struggled. He had a team-high seven targets and finished with no receptions. He now has 14 targets on the season, and just three catches. Until he can convert those targets into actual production, he won't be much more than a low-end WR5.
Week 2 vs. New England Patriots
Is DeVante Parker going to be a thing this year? He led the Dolphins in targets in Week 1 with seven, and led the team in receptions (3) and yards (75) as well. He played 76% of the team's offensive snaps, and will continue to get plenty of looks as long as Albert Wilson remains out. He's probably the best receiving option Miami has (Preston Williams is close behind), but that's not saying much. He shouldn't be viewed as much more than a WR4 with the hopes he gets some garbage time points.
Week 1 vs. Baltimore Ravens
Who's ready to hop on the DeVante Parker hype train again? The first-round draft pick from 2015 hasn't done a whole lot in his NFL career so far. He posted career lows a year ago, finishing with just 24 receptions for 309 yards and a lone score. But he's listed as a starter for Miami and could have a large role this season. Still, it's hard to trust him as a reliable fantasy asset, especially this week in a tough matchup against the Ravens. We'd stay away if possible.
Fantasy Upside
DeVante Parker is a former first-round pick who has turned in some decent games when he’s on the field. He has a chance for a fresh start in 2019 with a new coaching staff and a new quarterback. Ryan Fitzpatrick or Josh Rosen might be able to use Parker in a way that he hasn’t been in his previous four seasons.
Fantasy Downside
Parker had one big game in 2018 where he finished with 134 yards on six receptions. But in his other 10 games played? He caught 18 passes for 175 yards and one touchdown. He just hasn’t quite put it together in any of his four seasons despite a number of opportunities.
2019 Bottom Line
Similarly to other receiving options in Miami, Parker could be worth a late-round flier. A change in coaching and quarterbacks could be just what Parker needs. But he doesn’t offer enough to warrant an early-round selection. If you have an open roster spot late in your draft, there are plenty of worse options than a former first-round receiver.
Week 17 at Buffalo Bills
Miami goes to cold Buffalo with nothing to play for in Week 17 (except maybe its head coach). The Dolphins have a miserable implied team total of just 17.5 points as 4.5-point underdogs. With Ryan Tannehill posting fewer than 15 combined fantasy points over the past two weeks, no player involved in this passing game is worthy of starting consideration in Week 17 against a tough Bills secondary.
Week 16 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Dolphins host the Jaguars in a game with a brutally low over/under of just 38 points, second-lowest on the Week 16 slate. Despite being 3.5-point favorites, Miami still only has an implied team total of 20.75 points. The Jaguars rank fifth in aFPA to WRs, and the complete dumpster fire that is the Dolphins receivers continues. Miami didn't have any receiver score more than six PPR points last week. This week, we can't confidently consider any Miami receiver as a FLEX option. Stay away.
Week 15 at Minnesota Vikings
Miami may have pulled off a miracle last week, but heading on the road to Minnesota this week may require the second coming. The Dolphins have an implied team total of just 18.5 points and are touchdown underdogs. The Vikings also rank first in aFPA to WRs. Despite Kenny Stills big game last week, this group of receivers has put up very few useful fantasy lines this season. In the toughest match-up possible this week, fade them all.
Week 14 vs. New England Patriots
The Dolphins host the Patriots, a situation Miami has surprised in the past, but not worth banking on in the fantasy playoffs. The Dolphins have a bottom six implied team total this week of fewer than 20 points. New England ranks top 10 in aFPA to WRs. Combine all of this with an offense ranked near the bottom in total offense, and there isn't a single Miami WR we feel comfortable starting in Week 14. None crack the top 35 in PPR. Over the past three games, five Miami wideouts have combined for two double-digit PPR games with none reaching 15 points.
Week 13 vs. Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills rank first in aFPA to WRs. That should mean more work for Miami backs this week against a Buffalo defense that ranks just 21st in aFPA to RBs. That's not good news for Miami receivers, who have struggled all season to put up fantasy production on a consistent basis. Over the past three games, five Dolphins receivers have a total of two double-digit PPR games. None of the Miami wideouts can be trusted.
Week 12 at Indianapolis Colts
The Dolphins went from 10-point underdogs to 7.5-point underdogs with the news that Ryan Tannehill would make his return, but Miami's implied team total of 21.75 points is still less than ideal. The Colts are only 22nd in the league in aFPA to WRs, but given target distribution, we'd only trust Danny Amendola as a deep league FLEX option out of this group of Miami wideouts. Amendola has at least five receptions in five consecutive games. By comparison, Parker only has 51 yards over the past two weeks with a snap share that is steadily going down. He's too risky to start.
