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By Charlie Campbell
Weaknesses:
Summary: In 2016, scouts who had been through Ohio State told me that from watching practice that Campbell had big-time ability and was going to be a future early-round pick because of his great speed and playing ability. Considering he had only 13 receptions for 121 yards in 2016, those scouts showed why they are employed by NFL teams because they were proven true over the next two seasons.
In 2017, Campbell flashed his explosive play-making ability, but his receiving production was held back by Ohio State struggling to pass the ball with J.T. Barrett at quarterback. As a senior with Dwayne Haskins, Campbell had a huge leap in production with 90 receptions for 1,063 yards and 12 touchdowns. Campbell produced some big, clutch plays for the Buckeyes and really improved his overall technique as a receiver. He also contributed as a kick returner during his collegiate career, so he could do some of that in the NFL. At the NFL Scouting Combine, Campbell had a great workout with a blistering 40-yard dash of 4.31 seconds and showed an improved ability to catch the ball in the field drills.
Similar to Curtis Samuel or Percy Harvin, Campbell is a fast, explosive play-maker who was a hybrid wide receiver for Urban Meyer. With the ball in his hands, Campbell is a dynamo. He is very fast and a threat to score on any touch. He has moves in the open field to juke defenders or weave around them with excellent cutting ability. While Campbell isn’t tall and doesn’t have length, he is put together well with a thick build.
Purely as a receiver, Campbell will be good to line up on the outside and challenge defenses vertically. He can get quick separation with his speed and explosiveness, plus has dangerous run-after-the-catch skills. Campbell is the kind of receiver who can take a quick slant to the end zone from any place on the field.
In the NFL, Campbell would be a great weapon for a creative offensive coordinator who uses him in a variety of ways. Campbell could work as an outside receiver, a slot receiver or a running back. He has sheer speed to burn cornerbacks with straight go routes or slants down the field. His quickness, athleticism and explosiveness can take defenders by surprise as he runs straight past them. Entering the next level, Campbell needs to improve his hands and cut down on the drops while also getting better at route-running.
In the 2019 NFL Draft, Campbell could be picked in the back half of the first round and should not get out of the second round if he makes it to Friday night.
Player Comparison: Percy Harvin/Curtis Samuel. Campbell is similar to Samuel and Harvin in his build, speed, and style of play. Harvin had some good moments in his NFL career, while Samuel came along really well in the second year of his career and looks like he could become a very good receiver for Carolina. Campbell could be a similar style player to those two during his pro career.
NFL Matches: Buffalo, Miami, New England, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Cleveland, Tennessee, Denver, Green Bay, San Francisco, Arizona, Dallas, New Orleans, Oakland
There could be a lot of teams in the market for an upgrade at wide receiver, so Campbell should have plenty of teams hoping to land him in the 2019 NFL Draft. Perhaps the highest that Campbell could hope to go would be to the Ravens in the first round. Baltimore could use more receiving talent for Lamar Jackson, and Campbell would bring a big-play, speed element the team is lacking.
In the AFC East, Campbell could land with three of those teams. The Patriots could use some youth at wideout, and Campbell would be a good replacement for Brandin Cooks. Miami needs more receiving weapons, while Buffalo needs one more receiver to go with John Brown and Cole Beasley. With Allen’s right-arm cannon, Campbell could be a great fit as a speed receiver to challenge defenses downfield.
The Eagles could use more explosive weapons for Carson Wentz. Campbell would give Philadelphia a long-term speed receiver for Wentz.
Tennessee needs to find more receiving weapons for Marcus Mariota. Campbell would make sense as a speed receiver to go across from Corey Davis.
Denver traded away Demaryius Thomas, and Campbell would give the team a speed receiver to go across from Courtland Sutton.
Green Bay could consider Campbell late in the first round or in the second round. The Packers could view Campbell as their replacement for Randall Cobb.
Christian Kirk was a nice addition by the Cardinals, but they could use more receiving weapons as Larry Fitzgerald won’t play forever. San Francisco could use more receiving talent, and Campbell could give the 49ers a big-play threat to go with Dante Pettis.
The Cowboys traded for Amari Cooper, but he’s inconsistent and they need more than just him to help Dak Prescott. Campbell could be a speed receiver to help take advantage of safeties coming up to defend Ezekiel Elliott. Campbell would be an excellent value for Dallas in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
Dez Bryant and Brandon Marshall were signed by the Saints last year because Sean Payton was frustrated with his wide receivers aside from his No. 1, Michael Thomas. Campbell could be a good fit for a role like Devery Henderson had in the New Orleans offense.
RELATED LINKS:
2019 NFL Mock Draft: Charlie’s | Walt’s
2019 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings
2019 NFL Draft Scouting Reports
2024 NFL Mock Draft - April 16
NFL Power Rankings - Feb. 22
Fantasy Football Rankings - Feb. 19
NFL Picks - Feb. 12
