Houston Texans: Three wide receivers to trade for to replace Will Fuller

Player #1: DeVante Parker

This is the first name that comes to mind in terms of wide receivers that could be available for the right price as the trade deadline looms.  The Dolphins have lost four straight as a result of their 42-23 loss to the Houston Texans and they could be sellers at the deadline if they feel they don’t have the goods to compete to make something out of this season.

Let me tell you — they won’t and I think they’d put DeVante Parker up on the block if it’s going to get them something to help mold their future.  They are now 4-4 on the season so who knows where they go from here.

Well, it isn’t the Houston Texans problem but they can certainly take one off their hands.  There’s reportedly a philosophical rift between the former first-rounder and Adam Gase and he’s already making calls to his agent to try to get himself out of there.  But Albert Wilson is out for the season and Kenny Stills health continues to be up in air so Parker is crucial to the Fins’ productivity on offense.

In fact, he hauled in six balls for 134 yards — 22.3 yards per reception — against the Houston Texans this past Thursday.  I saw it for myself — he was getting big chunks of yardage against a stout Houston Texans‘ defense and that’s the kind of talent this team needs to have on their side.

I could only imagine Watson being able to hook with Parker on a regular basis and it won’t be the first time this team has plucked a player from the Dolphins after a terrific audition.  Lest we not forget that ill-fated day back Oct. 25, 2015 when Miller rushed for 175 yards against the Texans in a 44-26 rout on the road.

I traveled up to Miami to see that game and it certainly was one that smarted me plenty.  Not the mention the immense amount of a humidity and a torrential downpour of rain before the half which signified how bad things were getting for the team at the time.  But, as you know, the team got their act together, went 9-7 and made the playoffs for the first time in the Bill O’Brien-era.

But because Arian Foster suffered a debilitating injury in that game, it was the beginning of the end his tenure with the Texans and the team signed Miller to be their top running back the following season.

Anyway, Parker will make $1.9 million this season so the cap charge to the Texans would be a meager $950,000 if they were to bring him in.  I think Parker could be had for a 4th-round pick which will certainly get Chris Grier to pick up the phone.

However, the Fins inked his 5th-year option worth $9.38 million in 2019 so if the Texans make this deal, they will have to look at the possibility of being committed to that large chunk of money if they want to keep him.

What’s concerning is that he has yet to record a season that nets more than 1,000 yards.  The 2016 season is the most to date with 744 yards.  That may not matter to the Texans as the situation is dire for additional depth.  We’ll have to see.

Parker has caught eight receptions for 174 yards — 21.8 yards per catch — with zero touchdowns in three games, which included two starts, in 2018.