Will Parks

Will Parks (born July 29, 1994) is an American football safety who is a free agent. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the sixth round of the 2016 NFL Draft,[1] and has played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Broncos, Philadelphia Eagles, Miami Dolphins, and New York Jets. He played college football at Arizona.

Will Parks
refer to caption
Parks with the Denver Broncos in 2016
Personal information
Born: (1994-07-29) July 29, 1994
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:200 lb (91 kg)
Career information
High school:Germantown
(Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
College:Arizona
Position:Safety
NFL Draft:2016 / Round: 6 / Pick: 219
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career NFL statistics as of Week 6, 2022
Total tackles:191
Sacks:2.0
Forced fumbles:2
Fumble recoveries:1
Interceptions:4
Defensive touchdowns:1
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Professional career
Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span40-yard dash10-yard split20-yard split20-yard shuttleThree-cone drillVertical jumpBroad jumpBench press
6 ft 0+3⁄8 in
(1.84 m)		 204 lb
(93 kg)		 29+1⁄2 in
(0.75 m)		 10 in
(0.25 m)		4.63 s1.64 s2.63 s4.45 s7.02 s31.5 in
(0.80 m)		9 ft 5 in
(2.87 m)		21 reps
All values are from Arizona's Pro Day[2]

The Denver Broncos selected Parks in the sixth round (219th overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft.[3] He was the 17th safety selected in 2016 and the second safety drafted by the Broncos, after third-round draft pick Justin Simmons.[4][5]

2016

On May 13, 2016, the Denver Broncos signed Parks to a four-year, $2.44 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $100,356.[6][7]

Throughout training camp, Parks competed with veteran Shiloh Keo for the backup strong safety role.[8] Head coach Gary Kubiak named Parks the backup strong safety behind T. J. Ward to start the regular season.[9]

He made his professional regular season debut in the Denver Broncos' season-opening 21-20 victory over the Carolina Panthers. In Week 3, he made two solo tackles, two pass deflections, and had his first career interception off a pass by Andy Dalton during a 29-17 victory at the Cincinnati Bengals.[10] On November 13, 2016, Parks recovered a blocked field goal during the New Orleans Saints' extra point and returned it for the game-winning two point score after teammate Justin Simmons leaped over the offensive line and blocked Wil Lutz's attempt to defeat the Saints 25–23 in the final 1:30 seconds. The play was challenged by the Saints after it appeared Parks may have stepped out of bounds during the return, but the ruling was upheld after it was determined there was not enough conclusive evidence showing Parks had stepped out of bounds.[11]

Parks finished his rookie season with 22 combined tackles (17 solo), four pass deflections, a fumble recovery, one interception, and a touchdown in 16 games and zero starts while appearing on special teams and as a reserve safety on defense.[12] The Denver Broncos finished third in the season AFC West with a 9-7 record and head coach Gary Kubiak retired due to health concerns.

2017

The Denver Broncos hired Vance Joseph as their new head coach and Joe Woods as their new defensive coordinator, replacing Wade Phillips. Parks was named the backup free safety behind Darian Stewart to begin the regular season.[13]

On October 30, 2017, Parks earned his first career start and recorded two solo tackles during a 29-19 loss at the Kansas City Chiefs. In Week 15, he started at strong safety after Simmons had been placed on injured reserve with a high ankle sprain.[14] Parks went on to make a season-high seven combined tackles in their 25-13 win at the Indianapolis Colts. The following week, he collected two combined tackles, defended a pass, and intercepted a pass attempt by Kirk Cousins in the Bronco's 27-11 loss at the Washington Redskins. Parks finished the 2017 season with 51 combined tackles (36 solo), four pass deflections, and an interception in 16 games and four starts.[15] He started three games at strong safety and appeared on special teams and as an extra defensive back during dime packages.[16] In their first season under head coach Vance Joseph, the Denver Broncos finished last in their division with a 5-11 record.

Philadelphia Eagles

On March 24, 2020, Parks signed a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles.[17] He was placed on injured reserve on September 6, 2020.[18] He was activated on October 17.[19] He was waived on December 1, 2020.[20]

Denver Broncos (second stint)

On December 2, 2020, Parks was claimed off waivers by the Denver Broncos.[21]

Kansas City Chiefs

Parks signed with the Kansas City Chiefs on May 6, 2021.[22] He was released on August 23, 2021.

San Francisco 49ers

On November 3, 2021, Parks was signed to the San Francisco 49ers practice squad.[23]

Miami Dolphins

On November 23, 2021, Parks was signed by the Miami Dolphins off the 49ers practice squad.[24] He was released on December 20, 2021.[25]

New York Jets

On December 21, 2021, Parks claimed off waivers by the New York Jets.[26] He re-signed with the team on March 10, 2022.[27] He was released on August 30, and signed to the practice squad the next day.[28][29] He was elevated to the active roster on September 14.[30] He was released on December 15, and re-signed to the practice squad.[31] He was promoted to the active roster on January 7, 2023.[32] Parks played in a total of 14 games for the Jets in 2022, collecting 17 tackles (10 solo) while working in a depth capacity. He was released by the Jets on June 8, 2023.[33]

On June 2, 2017, Parks was arrested for misdemeanor harassment and non-physical domestic violence charges involving a former girlfriend. [34] On March 1, 2018, the charges against him were dismissed. [35]

References
  1. "Broncos draft S Will Parks with the 219th overall pick". Retrieved July 29, 2016.
  2. "Will Parks, Arizona, SS, 2016 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football". draftscout.com. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
  3. Hayre, Chris (February 6, 2018). "Broncos draft S Will Parks with the 219th overall pick". DenverBroncos.com.
  4. Chad Jensen (August 18, 2017). "Broncos draft rewind: Will Parks". scout.com. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
  5. "2016 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  6. "Broncos sign sixth-round picks Andy Janovich, Will Parks". Retrieved July 29, 2016.
  7. "Spotrac.com: Will Parks contract". spotrac.com. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
  8. Sam Cowhick (August 8, 2016). "Broncos' rookie safeties "made the plays" to land high on depth chart". bsndenver.com. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
  9. "Broncos depth chart 2016: Michael Schofield to start at right guard". denverpost.com. September 4, 2016. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
  10. "Denver Broncos at Cincinnati Bengals - September 25th, 2016". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
  11. "How Broncos rookie safeties Will Parks, Justin Simmons converged on game-winning PAT block and score". DenverPost.com. November 13, 2016.
  12. "Will Parks 2016 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
  13. Tim Lynch (September 3, 2017). "Broncos release first depth chart of regular season". milehighreport.com. Retrieved February 8, 2018.
  14. Ben Swanson (December 13, 2017). "Broncos place Justin Simmons on injured/reserve". denverbroncos.com. Retrieved February 8, 2018.
  15. "NFL Player stats: Will Parks (2017)". NFL.com. Retrieved February 8, 2018.
  16. "Will Parks 2017 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
  17. "Philadelphia native Will Parks comes home on a one-year deal". philadelphiaeagles.com. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
  18. McPherson, Chris (September 6, 2020). "Eagles place S Will Parks and WR Quez Watkins on Injured Reserve". PhiladelphiaEagles.com.
  19. McPherson, Chris (October 17, 2020). "Roster Moves: Eagles activate DE Vinny Curry and S Will Parks off Injured Reserve; elevate TE Jason Croom and DB Elijah Riley". PhiladelphiaEagles.com.
  20. McPherson, Chris (December 1, 2020). "Eagles promote S Grayland Arnold; waive S Will Parks". PhiladelphiaEagles.com. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  21. DiLalla, Aric (December 2, 2020). "Broncos claim S Will Parks off waivers, place CB Bryce Callahan on IR, activate DE Shelby Harris from Reserve/COVID-19 list". DenverBroncos.com.
  22. @Chiefs (May 6, 2021). "We have signed LB Kamalei Correa, WR Chris Finke, and DB Will Parks" (Tweet). Retrieved May 6, 2021 – via Twitter.
  23. "49ers Open Practice Windows for Gould, Kittle and Wilson Jr". 49ers.com. November 3, 2021.
  24. "Roster Moves: Miami Dolphins Sign S Parks, Place CB Perry and LB Scarlett on IR". MiamiDolphins.com. November 23, 2021.
  25. "Roster Moves: Dolphins Make Roster Moves - December 20". MiamiDolphins.com. December 20, 2021.
  26. Greenberg, Ethan (December 21, 2021). "Jets Place TE Ryan Griffin on Injured Reserve, Activate QB Mike White". NewYorkJets.com.
  27. Greenberg, Ethan (March 10, 2022). "Jets Re-Sign S Will Parks". NewYorkJets.com.
  28. Lange, Randy; Greenberg, Ethan (August 30, 2022). "Final Cuts: Jets Move 27 Players to Trim Roster to NFL's 53-Man Limit". NewYorkJets.com.
  29. Lange, Randy (August 31, 2022). "Jets Sign 13 Players to Practice Squad". NewYorkJets.com.
  30. Greenberg, Ethan (September 14, 2022). "Jets Sign S Will Parks to Active Roster". Newyorkjets.com. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  31. Greenberg, Ethan (December 15, 2022). "Jets Release S Will Parks". NewYorkJets.com.
  32. Greenberg, Ethan (January 7, 2023). "Jets Place 5 on Injured Reserve, Sign 5 to Active Roster for Season Finale vs. Dolphins". NewYorkJets.com.
  33. "Will Parks: Gets cut loose". cbssports.com. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  34. "Broncos safety Will Parks facing domestic violence charges". NFL. Retrieved June 2, 2017.
  35. Legwold, Jeff. "Domestic violence case vs. Broncos' Will Parks dropped". ESPN. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
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