WR Parker meets with Vikings, praises Bridgewater

INDIANAPOLIS —- DeVante Parker wouldn't mind reuniting with Teddy Bridgewater again.

In their three seasons together at Louisville, Bridgewater connected with Parker 113 times for 1,920 yards and 28 touchdowns, including a dozen touchdowns during Bridgewater's final season.

Bridgewater, of course, left for the NFL and finished strong in his rookie year with the Vikings.

"We all knew what Teddy can do. He was prepared all the time," Parker said Wednesday at the NFL scouting combine at Lucas Oil Field. "People doubted him and he's proved everybody wrong."

Parker's numbers took a dip in 2014 without Bridgewater, but he is in the conversation over this draft's top receivers and is considered by draft analysts as a lock to go in the top 20 or so picks.

Some of those analysts projected him to the Vikings at pick No. 11 in their early mock drafts.

It's safe to say Parker and Bridgewater will be pleased if that's how April's draft plays out.

Bridgewater has been in the ear of General Manager Rick Spielman, vouching for his college teammate and advocating that the Vikings take Parker. Spielman has also asked Bridgewater about Alabama's Amari Cooper, Teddy's high school teammate. This is a common thing, though. Spielman often asks players about old teammates, but that doesn't mean they have say in his decisions.

"They had a great career together but that has no influence on who we're looking at," Spielman said yesterday morning in his chat with Twin Cities reporters. "We're going to look at who's best for us regardless. You have to look at the best football player, who fits your scheme the best and what you're trying to get accomplished. That has no part of the equation."