2015 NFL Draft: Should The KC Chiefs Target DeVante Parker
It is no secret that the KC Chiefs will look to the 2015 NFL Draft to help bolster their Wide Receiver corp, and Louisville Wide Receiver DaVante Parker may just be the guy they are looking for.
Parker enjoyed a four year career at Louisville, and while his final season didn’t go quite as he had hoped, he was still productive throughout his career, and put himself in a good position for the 2015 NFL Draft.
2011
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Parker showed flashes of brilliance during the 2011 season. He finished with 18 Receptions, 291 Yards, and six Touchdowns in 11 games played.
He finished fifth in the Big East and first on his team in receiving touchdowns. He also finished sixth on his team in receptions, and fourth in receiving yards.
2012
Parker made a huge impact in his second season at Louisville. He had 40 Receptions, 744 Yards, and ten Touchdowns in 13 games played (Career High).
He led the team in receiving yards and touchdown receptions. His ten touchdown receptions in 2012 were also the most for any Louisville player since 1998.
He finished fifth in the Big East in receiving yards, first in the Big East in receiving touchdowns, and first in the Big East in yards per reception with 18.6.
2013
Parker had the best year of his career in 2013, and set several career high’s. He had 55 Receptions (Career High), 885 Yards (Career High), and 12 Touchdowns (Career High).
The 12 touchdown receptions by Parker in 2013 tied the Louisville school record. He finished tenth in the NCAA and first in the ACC in touchdown receptions.
2014
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2014 was a very up and down year for Parker. He played a career low six games due to a broken fifth metatarsal in his left foot suffered in a practice before the season started.
When Parker returned, he returned with something to prove. He finished with 43 Receptions, 855 Yards, and five Touchdowns in only six games played. That is only 30 yards shy of his career high of 885 yards set in 2013, and he did it in six games instead of the 12 played in 2013.
He finished seventh in the ACC in receiving yards, and third in the ACC in yards per reception with 19.9.
The KC Chiefs desperate need for Wide Receivers comes as no secret, after all they did finish the 2014 season without a receiving touchdown by a wide receiver.
On Tuesday the KC Chiefs cut A.J. Jenkins and Donnie Avery, and they may not be done yet. Dwayne Bowe could have to renegotiate his contract or be cut as my colleague John Viril went into detail about.
"At 6’3 with long arms, soft hands and superb leaping ability, Parker is as tough of a receiver to defend as there is anywhere in the country as he utilizes great body control and timing to win any ball thrown in his vicinity regardless of how well-covered he is. After the catch, Parker demonstrates impressive shiftiness despite being a long-strider and has a nice second gear to create distance once he’s in the open field.-Courtesy of Derek Stephens of CBS Sports"
A tall long armed wide receiver with soft hand and superb leaping ability just gives flashbacks of Jon Baldwin, and that is certainly not a good thing. However, you can’t ignore talent just because you have been fooled in the past.
Parker is listed as the 16th best prospect and the third best Wide Receiver behind Amari Cooper and Kevin White according to CBS Sports.
Parker can improve his stock by showing improved speed at the 2015 NFL Combine, but he may even slide a bit if he fails to have a good showing.
KC Chiefs general manager John Dorsey has a good track record with Wide Receivers, and he will have a chance to prove himself once again as he tries to rebuild the Chiefs wide receiving corp in free agency and the 2015 NFL Draft.