The Miami Dolphins are expecting rookie DeVante Parker to play in Week 1 of the season after having foot surgery, as he was able to return to practice with the team. Parker is worth taking in fantasy football and he could be a starter with Jarvis Landry, Kenny Stills and Lamar Miller for Ryan Tannehill if he looks good in the first game of the season.
Parker was a first round pick and underwent foot surgery this summer and the plan all along for the Dolphins was to have the receiver back in time for Week 1. According to the Miami Herald, Parker has been working out with the team and he "expects" to play in the game on Sunday. Parker may not play as many snaps as he would have if he didn't have surgery, but coach Joe Philbin said that the team is expecting Parker to be on the field for quarterback Ryan Tannehill.
The Herald reports that offensive tackle Branden Albert is also looking to get onto the field and that he has "pledged" to play in Week 1. Philbin conformed to reporters that Albert will be in the lineup and it comes after he had knee surgery last year. Albert tore his ACL and his MCL last season in November and missed half the year and now he is looking to get back on the field for the Dolphins. Albert really is needed for the Dolphins, as his backup Jason Fox is dealing with a concussion and may not be able to suit up for the game.
Parker is on the depth chart behind Greg Jennings for now after being out for so long, but he could move up depending on how he looks on Sunday. The Dolphins are deep at receiver with Jarvis Landry, Kenny Stills, Jennings, Richard Matthews and Parker coming in and all of those players could see time on the field. Tannehill is coming off of his best season since being drafted and he was rewarded with a major contract extension.
Landry is the top receiver now after Mike Wallace was traded and the Dolphins felt that Parker could step in for the speedy Wallace. Landry had a breakout season last year and the team is hoping that Parker can be an explosive option for Tannehill. The Dolphins offensive line has been inconsistent the past couple years and if Albert can stay healthy it will help keep Tannehill more upright.
With Tannehill signed and Ndamukong Suh coming in as a free agent acquisition from the offseason, the Dolphins feel that the playoffs are possible. The team has Lamar Miller starting at running back and they will be without Jay Ajayi until the middle of the season after the rookie cracked his ribs. Miller will have LaMichael James and Damien Williams as his backups for now and the team also signed Jonas Gray.