[Editor’s note: This is another installment in a series we will be running at Vikings Territory providing scouting reports for players the Vikings could potentially target in the 2015 Draft. All scouting reports are provided in partnership with Luke Inman and eDraft.com. You can find all of our previous scouting reports here. Continue reading below to learn more about DeVante Parker, Teddy Bridgewater’s favorite receiver at Louisville.]
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43 receptions, 855 yards and 5 touchdowns in just 6 games in 2014
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row custom_title=”Measurables” css=”.vc_custom_1425269593739{margin-bottom: 32px ;}”][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]Height: 6′ 3″
Weight: 209 lbs.
Hand Size: 9-1/4″
Arm Length: 33-1/4″[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]40 Yard Dash: 4.45 seconds
Vertical Jump: 36.5 inches
Bench Press: 17 reps
Broad Jump: 125 inches[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]3 Cone Drill: N/A
20 Yard Shuttle: N/A
60 Yard Shuttle: N/A[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row custom_title=”Spider Graph (courtesy of Mockdraftable.com)”][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]
The above spider graph, courtesy of Mockdraftable.com, shows what percentile this player is against other players at the same position. Clicking the “Measurements & Comparisons” tab on the bottom of the graphic will show additional Measurements information along with player comparisons from the Mockdraftable.com database based strictly off historic measurable data.
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A.J. Green / Randy Moss ‘Lite’
Louisville (Pro Style) / Vertical Passing Scheme[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]
I completely understand when I hear Vikings fans express their interest and desire in wide-out Amari Cooper. After all, anytime you can add a premier talent like Cooper, it behooves the team, in both the short and long term plans, to add a blue chip talent. However, as my latest Cooper scouting report broke down, my qualm with adding Cooper to the Vikings is his strengths point to him being, at his best, a number two receiver or in the slot. Remind you of anyone? Amari Cooper and Greg Jennings provide a similar role to one another and don’t complement each other in this offense. Meanwhile, Parker offers the exact opposite attributes, acting as a deep, down-field threat that is a mismatch anytime he is lined up one-on-one with a defender. Trust me when I say, Parker is a nightmare to defend in one-on-one situations.
On top of his deep speed, Parker is red zone threat and jump-ball demon that provides a perfect balance and complement to the Vikings offense. Parker would allow Jennings to get cozy in his most natural position — inside at the slot. Adding Parker to the group would help complete the Vikings’ receiving corp puzzle that has been just one piece away for some time.
Maybe more importantly, Parker would be a vital piece to Norv Turner‘s vertical offense, one that has been vacant since Turner showed up to Winter Park. The addition of Parker would also open up underneath routes for the Vikings’ other play-makers. Parker is a player that can push the safeties back, forcing them to stay honest.
Etch this one in stone because here is my hot take:
As good as Cooper and White could be, my personal opinion is that DeVante Parker is THE GUY you want on the Vikings offense.
And not just because he will give the team an offensive piece that has been missing since Randy Moss left, but because he complements the Vikings’ offense incredibly well.
Need a final nudge out of the proverbial purple window? Parker played and did most of his damage with Teddy Bridgewater as his quarterback for the Louisville Cardinals. The “chemistry” with Bridgewater and learning curve for Parker could be as easy as plugging him into the lineup early and often, letting these former teammates reminisce about their college days in the huddle.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1425269574902{margin-bottom: 32px ;padding-top: 15px ;padding-right: 15px ;padding-bottom: 15px ;padding-left: 15px ;background-color: #582d83 ;}”][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text css_animation=”appear”]
Parker has solidified himself as one of the top three receivers in this draft but is still clearly behind his two peers, Kevin White and Amari Cooper, in the minds of a majority of draft analysts.
A lot can (and will) happen between now and the draft. And I promise you, once the ebb and flow of the process gets in full motion, Parker will be talked about and rotated in as the top wide receiver in this class. It wouldn’t surprise to eventually hear Parker’s name in the same sentence as the Oakland Raiders at pick number four. Behind the Raiders sits Chicago, a team now in need of a receiver opposite Alshon Jeffery with the recent departure of Brandon Marshall. The most realistic scenario for Parker on draft day would be slipping to the Rams, Vikings or Browns.
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I agree with what you say about the overlap between Cooper and Jennings, but I don't think that should be much of a factor when it comes to drafting him. Jennings will be around for probably only another one or two years, and the player we select in this draft should ideally be someone we can rely on for the next five to eight seasons. If we believe that Teddy is our guy at quarterback (as everybody should), then we should try to build our offense around him. He got better as the year went on, but it remains true that throwing deep is not his strength. A receiver like Parker, who is at his best stretching the field vertically, doesn't play to Bridgewater's strengths. For Bridgewater to succeed he needs a receiver who can create space on underneath and intermediate routes, the type Cooper excels at. I would gladly take either of them, but I think Cooper would be the best fit due to his superior skill and schematic fit.
I disagree that a WR cooper's size limits him to a WR2. Roddy White, Greg Jennings, and Marvin Harrison were all examples of WR1's for their team when they played in their prime, and they are all 6'0 or shorter. Sure, he may be effective running routes from the slot, but Cooper can play from anywhere on the field. In fact, he was excellent at running deep routes, just go watch him burn CBs with his deep speed in any of his highlight videos. Some upcoming examples of WR1's are Odell Beckham and Sammy Watkins, neither of which are tall, lanky receivers. You could even argue that Victor Cruz in his early, healthy years was a WR 1 too, and he isn't tall. The truth behind WR1's is they are capable of lining up anywhere on the field to create mismatches, and they have the talent to capitalize. Don't get too fixated with height, when talent is all that really matters in the NFL. Any of the receivers I listed would easily contend that they were more of a WR1 than the Stephen Hill's of the world who possess the size and speed you mention. Now if you are differentiating from different receiver positions such as slot, Z, etc. then what you are saying makes sense. However, any of the players I mentioned would easily become the WR1 on most teams. Like I said, talent and versatility is a true indicator of a WR1, which doesn't always correlate with height and speed. Although, if we are going to add a receiver at all, I think we should add a WR 1 since we have plenty of WR 2/3s on the team already, so I wouldn't mind either Parker, White, Cooper, or Strong.
All i can say is chemistry , chemistry , chemistry .... it goes a long...... way..............................................................! Long way..!
Remember the Philadelphia Eagles,summer of 2011, when the Eagles went out and signed all the free agents. That was supposed to be good ! That roster became known as “The Dream Team,” a …No Dah ! What happen ? fell far short of expectations, winning eight games that season and four the next. The Dream Team ultimately got Andy Reid fired. And Andy Reid is a pretty good head coach.... is not that he could not coach them is mostly due to, they don't click as a team....and what is that................. CHEMISTRY ......That's right chemistry..! So go back and look at the games & highlights of Teddy to Parker on YouTube ! Or order the tape game by game from Louisville ! just kidding..! that would be a hassle, right..! Also Teddy & Cooper did played together at Miami Northwestern.. But that is so long ago, compare to Teddy & Parker..
Cooper, is the safer bet ! And White is on the rise, due to the combine Performance, but to really think about it ! Go back to the tapes & films .. Cooper for last 3 year’s has been consistent & productivity .. And White only had 1 year..! That brings Devante Parker, The Unsung Hero, into the discussion..! Before his injury …He was on the rise of being the best WR in college football and he was consistent & productivity until his injury….So i’m going with my first gun again when i started with Parker , due to his timing and chemistry with Bridgewater… should come quickly in the NFL..! And make a lot of sense… In Norv Turner’s system …Teddy Bridgewater to Devante Parker- Touchdown !!!!!!!!! The only thing about Cooper is he can not win jump-ball, like White & Parker and size . So Devante Parker, fits the Vikings’ needs better !!! I will say this again……..The timing and chemistry between Parker and Bridgewater !!! Remember Rick Spielman draft 2 player’s from the same college in Arkansas WR Jarius Wright , Arkansas WR Greg Childs ,Notre Dame S Harrison Smith and Notre Dame CB Robert Blanton, who now play ss. What was the reason ? Maybe to see if they have chemistry..!
I really do like Cooper & White more than Parker, but In Norv Turner’s system...! The way our Offence is play out, Parker makes more sense..! Or if we Release Greg Jennings for more cap..? Than i can see why.....
Disagree. Chemistry is overrated, Its all about pro speed and route trees vs the defensive formation. Parker needs to pick up on Norvs offense and recognize the correct route, then he needs to get off the line and be in a precise spot at correct time. Parker may posses those skills (concern about ability to get off the line), and if he does he will be successful with Teddy, and not because the two have chemistry together. After all Teddy's game and speed have changed and evolved, any timing he had with Parker has been disrupted because Teddy is playing at a higher level and speed. So I don't take parker at 11 because of chemistry. When I watch highlights of Parker it seems like 50% of his catches he has one foot out of bounds, seriously watch virtually any of the YouTube videos and every other catch would be incomplete in the NFL. That and with teddy in college his beat year was 900 yards?
This is just my opinion of course but to Kevin white passes the eye test more than parker. White seems crisper, stronger, and he looks like he has much better contol of body positioning. When I listen to him talk its all about studying and improving the craft to be the best you can be. Kind of reminds me a bit of teddy in this regards, students and gamers. Just my gut, but if white and parker on the board (and i have to pick wr) I take white.
Please not a WR at 11 pleeeeaaaassssse