Week 10 at Green Bay Packers
The Brock Osweiler experience continues at Lambeau Field, with the Dolphins having an extremely low implied team total of fewer than 20 points in Week 10. Plus, the Dolphins are basically deploying a WRBC. No Dolphins receiver over the past three games is averaging seven targets per game. Danny Amendola would be the best of a bad bunch of options for PPR leagues, with five receptions in four consecutive games. Parker is not reliable though.
Week 8 vs. New York Jets
So maybe DeVante Parker's agent was right? In his first game of the season after being inactive all year, Parker caught six of nine targets for 134 yards. This week against the Jets, Parker has some history of success, posting a line of 8-76-1 in Week 3 last year against New York. With Albert Wilson on IR and Kenny Stills not practicing Wednesday and Thursday with a groin injury, Parker should again see full starter snaps in Week 9. We've been burned by Parker before in the past, and there's always a risk when Brock Osweiler is the quarterback, but in a heavy bye week, Parker is on the WR3/FLEX radar in a juicy match-up. The Jets are just 25th in aFPA to WRs.
Week 8 at Houston Texans (Thursday)
Brocktoberfest rolls on in H-Town without two key members of the Dolphins receiving core - Kenny Stills and Albert Wilson. That may mean DeVante Parker is activated this week, but that doesn't mean he should be in your lineups.
Week 4 at Tennessee Titans
With the Patriots ranked only 23rd in aFPA to WRs and an above-average total of 48.5 points, there are reasons to like Dolphins receivers in Week 4. However, this continues to be a committee, as Ryan Tannehill is spreading the ball around. That means low-percentage splash plays or touchdowns are essential to prove valuable in starting lineups. The large target hole left by Jarvis Landry is not going to any one particular receiver. Through three weeks, five different Dolphins have double-digit targets and none have more than 14 (Jakeem Grant). DeVante Parker was also added back to the mix last week but only for three targets. It's just hard to rely on any Dolphins pass-catcher week in and week out, as Adam Gase appears to be deploying them with game-specific strategies in mind.
Week 2 at New York Jets
DeVante Parker was a full participant in Thursday's practice (finger injury). He looks to be returning this week for this offense, but Kenny Stills may have already established himself as the No. 1 WR in this offense after a big start to the season. Parker has had plenty of chances with lots of targets and has disappointed in recent years. Don't risk him in your lineups.
Fantasy Upside
The Dolphins have a gaping void of targets from last year's roster—290 are missing. Only the Ravens have more vacant targets from a season ago. That gives DeVante Parker yet another opportunity to break out. Parker played much of last season banged up, but in 2016, he was much more efficient—1.7 PPR points/target versus 1.35 last year.
Fantasy Downside
Parker always seems to get dinged up with lower body injuries. As a fantasy owner, he's been a headache, because even if he hasn't missed many games, it's hard to tell if he's playing at full strength in any given week. If he continues to only average 6.5 targets per game, he again won't be anything more than a FLEX consideration from time to time.
2018 Bottom Line
It's do or die this season for Parker. If he can't do it this year with Jarvis Landry gone, he may never get another opportunity to be a starting receiver in the league. He'll certainly be motivated. An argument can be made he has some value at his ninth-round ADP, especially in best-ball leagues. In redraft leagues, he could be a weekly lineup headache again. If he's healthy, though, it seems unlikely he sees fewer targets with Jarvis Landry gone.
Week 17 vs. Buffalo Bills
The Dolphins host the Bills in Week 17, looking to spoil Buffalo's playoff hopes. Buffalo is top five in aFPA to WRs this season. Plus, DeVante Parker did not put in a full practice all this week. His health and lack of production combine to keep him out of fantasy lineups.
Week 16 at Kansas City Chiefs
Miami has the fourth-lowest implied team total in Vegas this week at 16.5 points, and the Dolphins must go on the road to face a Chiefs team still playing for the AFC West crown. Not a good combination. Plus, Parker has been missing practice time again with his ankle, the same injury that caused him to miss three games earlier this year. He's far too risky to start.
Week 15 at Buffalo Bills
The Dolphins clearly had their best performances of the season at home the past two weeks against the Patriots and Broncos. But this warm weather team must now go to Buffalo, where Miami has a bottom-six implied team total in Vegas this week. The Dolphins also haven't scored more than 21 points in any road game this season, and DeVante Parker has a total of 50 yards in his last three games. He's not even worthy of a roster spot at this point.
Week 14 vs. New England Patriots
Kenny Stills exploded for 13 targets last week and has out-targeted DeVante Parker 19 to 7 over the past two weeks. That makes Parker utterly unplayable Week 14 against the Patriots, who are allowing the sixth-fewest standard fantasy points to opposing receivers over the last four weeks. This defense has greatly improved from its No. 21 aFPA ranking vs. WRs.
