The Detroit Lions belong on a list of possible trade suitors for DeVante Parker, but would the asking price be too much?
The Miami Dolphins have added to the wide receiver corps this offseason, most notably trading for Tyreek Hill but Cedrick Wilson was also signed in free agency. So DeVante Parker looks like the odd-man out, and it was quickly reported the former first-round pick was drawing trade interest after the acquisition of Hill.
Plenty of teams should have some interest in Parker. The Detroit Lions are surely among them, even after signing DJ Chark, re-signing Josh Reynolds and as they eye receivers in the draft.
At the NFL league meetings on Monday, Dolphins general manager Chris Grier acknowledged he has gotten trade calls on Parker, but expects him to remain with the team next season. Mike Kaye of Pro Football Network put together a list of possible landing spots. After the Philadelphia Eagles, Arizona Cardinals, Jacksonville Jaguars and Atlanta Falcons, the Lions round out the list.
Detroit Lions trade rumors: Possible asking price for DeVante Parker
Here’s what Kaye wrote about Detroit.
"The Lions have very little at wideout, similarly to the Falcons. If the Lions are looking to upgrade their no-name group, led by Chark and Josh Reynolds, Parker could make sense as a shot in the dark. If the Lions are serious about figuring out Jared Goff, then surrounding him with receiving talent is ideal. Parker probably could be had for a fourth- or fifth-round pick."
On the list of five landing spots for Parker, the Lions are one of two teams Kaye pointed to a possible asking price for. But while the Eagles have three picks over the fourth and fifth rounds, on Day 3 of the draft, the Lions have no fourth-round pick right now and their fifth-rounder comes very late in that round (No. 177 overall).
The Dolphins don’t have a lot of trade leverage here. Almost immediately upon the acquisition of Hill teams were calling about Parker, knowing his cap hit is a sunk cost if they’re going to have him as their No. 4 wide receiver (or “co-No. 3 receiver”). The Lions might not get him, but the price is certainly right for them to stay involved in any trade talks for Parker right to the end.