DeVante Parker shares his initial thoughts on Mac Jones
A lot will be made this year about the relationship between Patriots quarterback Mac Jones and newly-acquired receiver DeVante Parker.
Dec 5, 2021; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver DeVante Parker (11) signals toward the sideline against the New York Giants during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium. Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
Sam Navarro-USA TODAY SportsA lot will be made this year about the relationship between Patriots quarterback Mac Jones and newly-acquired receiver DeVante Parker. Across the NFL, veteran wide receivers have helped expediate the success of younger quarterbacks, and many are expecting Parker to play that role for Jones after the Patriots traded for him earlier this month.
On Thursday, Parker spoke with Patriots media for the first time since the trade, and offered his first impressions on his new quarterback. "He's got a good arm on him. He can zip it," Parker noted. The two spent time working together with a number of other Patriots receivers at a throwing session in Tampa shortly after Parker was traded to New England.
"Mac's a good quarterback. Just the way he throws the ball," Parker continued. "It's not tough, he throws a catchable ball."
Parker was also asked what his strongest skill sets are, and what he'll bring to the offense to help Jones and the rest of the unit improve. "High pointing the ball, getting vertical down the field, and doing whatever I can to help the team win," he replied.
Finally, Parker was asked about a post he made on Instagram on Wednesday, which showed him photoshopped into a No. 11 Patriots jersey - the number last worn by Julian Edelman. Will that be his number moving forward?
"I'm not sure yet," he replied. "Numbers haven't been certified yet. We'll have to wait and see."
We'll find out Parker's number - and get our first look of him working with Mac Jones - in just over a month. The Patriots begin their offseason practices in late May, with May 26 set to be the first practice open to the media.
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Amid plenty of talk of additions to the Patriots wide receivers room - whether it be the DeVante Parker trade or in the upcoming NFL Draft - the Patriots' top returning receivers joined quarterback Mac Jones in Tampa work a throwing session on Tuesday. Kendrick Bourne shared an inside look at the workout on his Instagram.
In addition to Bourne, Jones was throwing to Nelson Agholor and Jakobi Meyers, as well as running back J.J. Taylor. It's not immediately clear who organized the workout, or if there are more set for the near future.
Based on the clips shared by Bourne, it seems as though the Patriots' wide receivers are bulking up for the 2022 season. Bourne himself mentions now weighing 196 pounds, up from the 190 he played at last year. But the real notable jump is from Meyers, who claims to be up to 225 pounds. That's a sizable jump from the 200 pounds he played at last year.
Taylor's presence at the workout also stands out. The only non-wide receiver to take part, the third-year running back is entering a crucial season. Signed as a UDFA in 2020, he's done enough to stay on the roster for two years but has yet to make a big contribution on the field. With Brandon Bolden now in Las Vegas, there is a bigger role in the running back rotation up for grabs this summer, and Taylor should be a factor in that competition.
Noticeably not spotted in the clips and pictures shared from the workout is N'Keal Harry. If he wasn't there, it would make him the only receiver from last year's active roster to not participate. Harry's standing on the roster has been a popular talking point this offseason, especially since the acquisition of Parker.
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