LA Rams should put in claim on recently waived S Will Parks

The LA Rams need to put in a claim on former Broncos/Eagles safety Will Parks

The LA Rams need to be vigilant to moves on other team rosters. After suffering another defeat, the Philadelphia Eagles released safety Will Parks. Parks is an ideal defensive back for the LA Rams, and a surprise cut by the Eagles. After another loss, due primarily to the ineptness of the Eagles offense, a move to pare the defense seems misdirected. But there may have been valid reasons to do so.

With just 115 defensive snaps, Parks played in six games and started in three for Philly. So far this season, he’s accumulated 13 tackles, two for losses. But he’s really held his own in pass defense allowing just four of eight passes thrown his way to find a receiver for a completion rate of 50 percent. The Eagles are not going anywhere. They have young safeties who need playing time. And Parks simply was not a good fit for what their defense asked him to do.

Rams fit

Parks was a versatile defensive back who played four seasons with the Denver Broncos. During that time, he was a solid role player who made good use of his defensive snaps.  He was a good ballhawk, a defensive back who found a way to frustrate opposing quarterbacks and receivers alike. Not just by denying receptions, but he was good for an interception in each of his four seasons at Mile High Stadium. So what is there to like about Parks? Well, let’s count the ways:

He is a former Broncos defensive back. As such, he has one leg up on the defensive scheme. At this late stage of the season, that type of familiarity is a huge bonus.  And with the Rams fighting a roster suddenly void of Terrell Burgess, Travin Howard, Taylor Rapp, and Micah Kiser, Parks’ ability to play deep pass defense or creep up to the box to defend running players would fit a huge hole on the roster right now.

Older version of Jordan Fuller?

Parks is incredibly versatile, the number one skillset for a Brandon Staley defensive player. And he is on a one-year deal right now, so claiming him off waivers would not break the bank nor impact any Rams compensatory picks in the future. He comes in hot. That means, from the moment he clears COVID-19 protocols, he can plug into this Rams defense and provide pass coverage.

He’s a 6-foot-1, 194-pound defensive back who still has respectable upside. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the sixth round of the 2016 NFL Draft.  Much like Rams rookie Jordan Fuller, he is a solid thumper who can play in space at the back of the defense. Just the chance at a player with similar talents as Fuller is worth claiming. But the Rams roster needs help behind the line of scrimmage due to the wear and tear on the roster throughout the season.  Will Parks deserves to be brought in.

Depth at a minimum. But hopefully, to become a quality contributor.