2019 Pre-Season Outlook/Poll: Rookie Parris Campbell

[EastStreet]

NFL.com's Profile

 

Draft Grade: 6.11 SHOULD BECOME INSTANT STARTER

Draft Projection: 2nd Round

College: OSU

Position: WR/Return

Height: 6-0

Weight: 205

40 Time: 4.31

 

Quote

 

BIO:

At famed St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron, Campbell's athleticism made him an all-state football player (1,584 rushing yards, 22 score) and track athlete (led state-title winning relays, set state record for indoor 60-meter dash). He played in eight games as a reserve his true freshman year at OSU, but had no catches or returns. That changed the following season, as Campbell started 12 of 13 games played (13-121-9.3 receiving; 4-54-13.5, one TD rushing) and was named third-team All-Big Ten as a kick returner (21-584-27.8). He was a team captain in 2017, again starting 12 of 13 games and earning third-team all-conference accolades -- but as a receiver (40-584-14.6, three TD). He also contributed via handoffs (10-132-13.2, one TD rushing) and returns (9-329-36.6). Campbell stepped up his game to become a first-team All-Big Ten selection as a senior, leading the Buckeyes with 90 receptions for 1,063 yards (11.8 average) and 12 touchdowns in 14 starts.

 

Overview:

Blue-chip athlete with elite package of size, speed and fluidity as a big slot receiver. Campbell's athletic attributes could create a coverage conundrum if his offensive coordinator puts him in a diversified role that allows him to attack vertically more often. Teams know he's a gifted athlete, but he needs to add more polish as a route-runner to become a well-rounded target instead of a gadget slot. His upside is bolstered by his traits while his special teams ability and talent with the ball in his hands should level out any bust concerns.

 

Strengths:

Track speed to scare safeties and corners

Expected to crush combine in all testing

Extremely explosive but still fluid

Early cushions of respect offer easy catches underneath

Light feet dart around defenders looking to impede

Generates separation on all three levels

Lived on Jugs machine last summer and improved hands

Comfortable plucking throws in stride

Size to break initial tackle after catch

Quick gather and leap to rescue overthrows

High-end potential with ball in his hands

Acceleration to split tacklers with speed to defeat angles and house it

Can get after it as slot blocker

Capable kick returner with above-average cover talent on punts and kicks

 

Weaknesses:

Handcuffed to a more limited role in college

Jet sweep and catch-and-run specialist with much to learn still

Limited experience with the route tree and downfield looks

Appears to be step-counter on intermediate patterns

Flat, rounded routes lack quality fakes at the top

Doesn't change route tempo very often

Tons of zone looks made life easy for him in space

Catch focus will need continued work

 

Sources Tell US:
"Urban (Meyer) has a system and it works, but it makes it harder to evaluate his receivers. Mike Thomas was just okay in their offense and then he gets to the pros and he's great. Campbell is kind of raw, but that same thing could happen with him." -- Personnel executive for AFC team

 

 

[EastStreet]

I just love typing 4.31.... holy smokes.

 

[2006Coltsbestever]

I went day 1 starter, solid season. He went where he should have. I went between 700-799 because we have so many other weapons so I didn't want to go to high. That was a tough one to vote on but if he gets around 750 yards as a rookie that is good.

[EastStreet]

5 minutes ago, 2006Coltsbestever said:

I went day 1 starter, solid season. He went where he should have. I went between 700-799 because we have so many other weapons so I didn't want to go to high. That was a tough one to vote on but if he gets around 750 yards as a rookie that is good.

I think he's going to end up taking over PRs or KRs at some point, and could mean a decent amount of all purpose yards aside from receiving. IMO, the number of KRs will increase this year due to us facing much better QBs. Just an average KRer will get 400 yards in a season, and an average PR will get 150+. Pascal wasn't very effective at all (ranked 21st as KR), and still manged 300ish yards. Rogers ranked 12th in PRs, and picked up 215. 

 

Personally I'd keep Rogers at PR, and use Campbell as KR. Give him space and a running start, and woosh.

[2006Coltsbestever]

1 minute ago, Irish YJ said:

I think he's going to end up taking over PRs or KRs at some point, and could mean a decent amount of all purpose yards aside from receiving. IMO, the number of KRs will increase this year due to us facing much better QBs. Just an average KRer will get 400 yards in a season, and an average PR will get 150+. Pascal wasn't very effective at all (ranked 21st as KR), and still manged 300ish yards. Rogers ranked 12th in PRs, and picked up 215. 

 

Personally I'd keep Rogers at PR, and use Campbell as KR. Give him space and a running start, and woosh.

Yeah if he does get duty at either for a significant time, he could end up near a 1000 yards in total. I am not sure how Reich is going to use him yet overall.

[CR91]

I don't think Hilton's rookie year stats are out of the question. 900 yards and 7 tds

[EastStreet]

4 minutes ago, 2006Coltsbestever said:

Yeah if he does get duty at either for a significant time, he could end up near a 1000 yards in total. I am not sure how Reich is going to use him yet overall.

When we drafted him, I was worried about his limited route tree. I thought he'd be more of a returns and gimmick guy than anything else while spending some time inside from the slot.

 

Now we're hearing he's doing great on his routes, and Ballard was talking about him be utilized outside (like a X or Z). That really kind of blew my mind coming from Ballard.....

 

If he can get his routes down and beat the press, he really could play any of the 3 WR positions plus APRB plus returns. His flexibility could be awesome, but also worries me that he gets good at several things, but not great at any.

[EastStreet]

10 minutes ago, CR91 said:

I don't think Hilton's rookie year stats are out of the question. 900 yards and 7 tds

yup, and could be more. I think about it this way. 

 

1) Parris played against much better comp than TY did in college

 

2) TY was the #3 WR coming into that year behind Wayne and H-Bey. Campbell could start as #2

 

3) TY worked as a returns guy his early years

 

4) TY had a ROOKIE ANDREW LUCK, and now Parris has seasoned/savvy Andrew Luck.

 

5) Parris's body is more NFL ready than TY's his rookie year.

[CR91]

2 minutes ago, Irish YJ said:

yup, and could be more. I think about it this way. 

 

1) Parris played against much better comp than TY did in college

 

2) TY was the #3 WR coming into that year behind Wayne and H-Bey. Campbell could start as #2

 

3) TY worked as a returns guy his early years

 

4) TY had a ROOKIE ANDREW LUCK, and now Parris has seasoned/savvy Andrew Luck.

 

5) Parris's body is more NFL ready than TY's his rookie year.

 

Agreed. It was actually Donnie Avery we had in Hilton's rookie. DHB was the following year. Just letting you know 

[EastStreet]

1 minute ago, CR91 said:

 

Agreed. It was actually Donnie Avery we had in Hilton's rookie. DHB was the following year. Just letting you know 

excellent catch CR91. so he was the #3 WR starting his first two years :-).