6 players who could be playing their final games for the Patriots

DeVante Parker

When the Patriots traded for DeVante Parker during free agency last year, he was a welcomed addition to a mostly underwhelming receiving corps. Although it was clear he wasn't the game-changing player that most fans wanted for the offense, he added an element to the team that had been lacking and had the potential to become a solid piece for Mac Jones to work with.

The seven years he spent with the Dolphins were a roller coaster, with some years proving he could be a viable weapon for any quarterback, while others kept Parker sidelined, as he was plagued with multiple injuries.

Unfortunately, that has continued to be his fate even on a new team, playing just 13 games in 2022 and is set to miss his second game in a row this week against the Colts.

Outside of the games missed, Parker has had some difficulties since arriving in Foxboro. He recorded a pretty good season last year, recording 31 receptions on 47 targets for 539 yards and three touchdowns. However, because he is the primary go-to guy for 50/50 balls, Jones tried to utilize him in that way as much as possible. Those throws led to Parker bobbling or tipping the ball away, leading to three interceptions.

So far in the 2023 season, not much has changed. Although Jones has been spared unintended interceptions when throwing to Parker, the receiver has only made 15 catches for 158 yards. It's not the improvement the offense has needed, especially with Kendrick Bourne now out for the year and the uninspiring performance by JuJu Smith-Schuster so far.

Although he received a contract extension to keep him in New England through the 2025 season, Parker hasn't exactly done enough to remain a part of the offense moving forward. There's still half a season for that to change, but if history indicates what's to come, it's hard to argue that much will improve.

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