Patriots Sign Veteran WR To A $33 Million Deal As They Pursue DeAndre Hopkins

Update:

“More than half” the total value of DeVante Parker’s “three-year, $33 million” contract extension is tied to incentives, according to ESPN’s Mike Reiss. Additionally, “there isn’t a high total of guaranteed money.” on the new contract.

If the Patriots want to continue their pursuit of WR DeAndre Hopkins, then Parker’s new deal won’t hinder them.

Original Story:

The New England Patriots have signed wide receiver DeVante Parker to a three-year contract extension worth up to $33 million. The deal includes $14 million in guaranteed money, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

Despite securing Parker’s services, multiple reports indicate that the Patriots remain keen on pursuing free-agent wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins.

This substantial reward for Parker comes despite his relatively modest production over the past three seasons, during which he has failed to surpass 793 receiving yards.

DeVante Parker spent the first seven years of his career with the Miami Dolphins before joining the Patriots last season. In his debut year with New England, Parker appeared in 13 games and recorded 31 catches for 539 yards and three touchdowns.

Throughout his career, the 14th overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft has accumulated solid numbers, with 369 receptions for 5,266 yards and 27 touchdowns.

Known for his reliability as a downfield target and ability to win contested catches, Parker’s $33 million extension far exceeded expectations surrounding his market value heading into this season.

Prior to the extension, Parker’s previous contract would have cost the Patriots $6.5 million against the salary cap. This new deal, however, may alleviate his 2023 cap hit and create additional space for the team to make further signings.

An interesting statistical insight shared by Warren Sharp highlights Parker’s struggles in terms of separation from defenders. Utilizing Next Gen Stats player tracking data, Parker ranked at the bottom among all wide receivers in terms of separation over the past three years.

This statistic raises questions about DeVante Parker’s ability to create space between himself and defenders, but it appears the Patriots have valued his other skills and potential impact on the team.

As training camp is still a few weeks away, there is no immediate pressure for DeAndre Hopkins to make a decision on his future team. As the start of the season approaches, more clarity is expected to emerge regarding where the veteran receiver will ultimately land for the upcoming fall games