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The New York Giants might still be searching for at least one more wide receiver to fill out their 53-man regular-season roster. Could former Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Preston Parker be that guy? Let's look at Parker as we continue our player-by-player profiles of the 90-man roster the Giants will bring to training camp on July 21.
2013 Season In Review
Parker was cut by the New Orleans Saints at the end of training camp, and did not hook on anywhere else during the season. Parker had nine receptions in four preseason games for 122 yards (13.6 yards per catch) with two touchdowns and two receptions of 20 yards or more.
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2014 Season Outlook
Parker, 27, would have to be considered one of the cluster of wide receivers who have an outside shot at making the roster, depending at this time on the health of Mario Manningham and whether or not the Giants believe 5-foot-5 kick return specialist Trindon Holliday can find a role as an occasional wide receiver.
Parker has 27 games of NFL experience and 44 receptions, all with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His best season was 2011, when he played in all 16 games and caught 40 passes for 554 yards (13.9 yards per catch) and three touchdowns. He also averaged 9.1 yards on 23 punt returns and 22.0 yards on 20 kickoff returns. So, he does have some versatility as a special teams performer. He fumbled the ball eight times in those 83 touches, however, and ball-security issues in the upcoming preseason will be costly as he tries to make the Giants' 53-man roster.
Despite his production in 2011, the Buccaneers cut Parker two games into the 2012 season. He has not been on an active regular-season roster since.
The 6-foot, 200-pound Parker did flash occasionally during offseason practices, catching a decent number of passes. There is almost always an unheralded receiver who grabs attention during training camp. It will be interesting to see if that is Parker this time around.