The Eagles retooling of the secondary continues, this time the Birds and former Denver Broncos defensive back Will Parks agreed to a one-year, $1.62 million deal on Saturday the team announced.
A versatile defensive back who can play nickel corner and both safety spots, Parks just made the Eagles that more versatile as a whole.
With the Eagles undergoing wholesale changes, here are 4 takeaways from the addition.
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1. Jim Schwartz will have his most versatile secondary
With the NFL being a matchups league, the addition of Parks allows the Eagles to focus on matchups without having to go on the defensive. Rather than react to opposing offenses, Parks allows the Eagles to now go on the attack. Parks will compete with Avonte Maddox and Cre’Von LeBlanc for the nickel corner, while also making some noise in the safety drills as well.
2. The Eagles will have a ton of depth in the secondary
Injuries shouldn’t ravage the Eagles secondary in 2020. Jim Schwartz has quality parts at each position. At safety, the Eagles have McLeod, Mills, Parks, Rudy Ford, and Marcus Epps.
The corners will be Rasul Douglas, Sidney Jones, Darius Slay, Avonte Maddox, Craig James, and Cre’Von LeBlanc.
3. Eagles will draft a safety
Even with McLeod, Mills, Parks, Rudy Ford, and Epps, Howie Roseman will still likely target a safety in the later rounds. Guys like Antoine Winfield Jr., K’Von Wallace, and Kyle Dugger could make this group even more interesting.
4. Parks could be the Eagles Tyrann Mathieu
Parks is just coming into his own as a player and imagine the damage he could do as a roving safety in Jim Schwartz’s defense. The addition of Darius Slay is a game-changer and finally allows the Eagles the ability to dictate to opposing offenses.
The could Eagles can now present a nickel or dime package that sees Avonte Maddox or Jalen Mills at the dime with Parks playing a hybrid big-safety/backer position in the middle of the field.
