New England Patriots: 3 intriguing receivers to watch during training camp

Can DeVante Parker be that guy for the New England Patriots?

If the New England Patriots get the 2019 healthy version of DeVante Parker, then Mac Jones will have a top weapon he can depend on.  Even if they get the Parker who put up 793 receiving yards in 2020, he will upgrade the offense.

As excited as the veteran receiver is to join the Patriots, he will need to both stay healthy and learn a more simplified playbook to be the factor he hopes to be in New England.

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According to NFL analyst Mike Tannenbaum, the Patriots are getting the playmaker they have been missing as long as health isn’t a concern and that is a major if so, far during his NFL career.

"“You’re getting someone who can win on the outside,” Tannenbaum told ESPN’s Mike Reiss.  “Big catch radius and good at high-pointing the ball.  Really effective with in-breaking routes and in the red zone.  He’s a very likeable, fun-loving person who is a great teammate – always smiling, never had a bad day. “Injuries have been a problem, and you just hope he can put it together for 17 games.  I wouldn’t say his play speed is elite, but (if healthy) he’s a very good starting NFL receiver who can be scoring eight to 12 touchdowns and making contested catches.”"

Parker has looked more like an All-Pro receiver against the Patriots, which is why Bill Belichick went out and traded for him.  But, if he brings the high spirit to the locker room and sidelines that Tannenbaum is talking about, his value to the team and Mac Jones will be even higher if he is also producing the type of numbers he put up in 2019 and 2020 with the Miami Dolphins.

In conclusion, although a veteran, DeVante Parker is an intriguing player to watch in training camp to see what kind of chemistry he forms with Jones.  Also, just seeing how he looks in a Patriots’ uniform after years of torching them will be intriguing in its own.