The Calais Campbell bandwagon is slowly emptying as the draft gets closer. A few weeks back Campbell was the dominate choice for the Redskins in most mock drafts, but he’s been dropping off draft boards ever since. Its unlikely that Campbell will slip down far enough for the Redskins to snap him up in the 2nd round, so if the Redskins are interested they will either have to snap him up at #21 or look to trade down.
DRAFT PROFILES
Strengths: Massive DE prospect; unusually tall with very good build, enormous arms (35.75 inches) and bigger-than-average hands (9.5 inches). Displays good initial quickness for his size, can beat blockers to the point of attack and can make plays in the backfield. Plays with decent leverage for a player his height, shows good lower body strength and is capable of holding his own when teams run at him. Has above-average upper body strength, extends arms once in position and flashes the ability to shed blocks quickly. Takes sound angles to the ball, plays with a good motor when fresh and makes plays in pursuit. Wraps up upon contact, shows good body control in space and is an adequate open field tackler that flashes the ability to jar the ball loose. Plays with a mean streak, takes the shortest path to the quarterback and flashes the ability to push tackles back into the quarterbacks’ laps. Changes directions well for such a taller DE, runs line stunts well and flashes effective swim and rip move when he shoots inside. Shows adequate awareness and generally does a nice job of sniffing out screens. Doesn’t always get hands up when isn’t going to get to the quarterback but jumps fairly well and has very long arms so can make it difficult for the quarterback to find a passing window.
Weaknesses: Lacks ideal top-end speed and is going to have a harder time turning the corner at the NFL level. Doesn’t have elite closing speed and is step slow getting to the quarterback at times. Doesn’t always get great hand placement and isn’t fast enough to recover in time to get to the quarterback when offensive tackles are able to lock onto him. High-center of gravity makes it difficult to get under offensive linemen’s pads and struggles to anchor against double teams. Occasionally gets caught too far upfield and is vulnerable to draws. Appears to wear down late in games and needs to work on endurance.
Overall: Miami red-shirted Campbell during his true freshman season in 2004 and he started one of the 12 games he appeared in during the 2005 season. He started 12 of the 13 games he appeared in during the 2006 season finishing with 80 tackles including 20 tackles-for-loss. Campbell also recorded 10.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and three pass breakups that year. He started the 11 games he appeared in during the 2007 season finishing with 50 total tackles including 30 unassisted tackles and 12.5 tackles-for loss. Campbell also recorded six sacks, an interception, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and two pass breakups last year. Campbell’s production dipped in 2007 and he lacks the top-end speed to develop into an elite edge rusher at the NFL level. However, he is one of the more complete defensive ends in this year’s class. He is blessed with good initial burst and athletic ability for such an enormous end. While production does not match that of a first-round pick, we think he played better than the numbers indicate and would have no problem recommending him later in the opening round.
Positives: Has a strong, well-defined and muscular frame and is an amazing physical specimen with a long wingspan, thick calves, a muscular build and cat-like quickness … An explosive and fluid athlete in pursuit, showing the range to generate speed long distance … Has a sudden burst off the edge to slip past a slow offensive tackle, but needs to be more active with his hands fending off low blocks … Plays with leverage, doing a nice job of dropping his shoulder and turn the corner, as he is very light on his feet … Has decent change-of-direction agility and shows good second effort getting back to the action when he outruns the ball … Willing to do the little extras to get better and has no problem taking plays from the chalkboard to the playing field … Shows impressive football instincts and plays with a high motor, demonstrating an explosive natural initial burst that will surprise the offensive lineman … Has above-average playing strength for his position, showing excellent leg drive and strong rip-and-swim moves in one-on-one combat (must keep them active fending double teams) … Strong run defender who plays with leverage and good knee bend but, when he gets tall in his stance, he can be ridden off the snap … Has the explosive initial step to defeat combo blocks, when he uses his hands to fend them off and is a disruptive penetrating … Can ride blocks and move laterally … Hustles in pursuit and quickly recognizes blocking schemes, showing good urgency to attack the crease … Gets up in a hurry when knocked down and has that high motor needed to be relentless in pursuit, especially on the back side … Can sink and run the horn to flush the quarterback out of the pocket, as he will usually stay active until the whistle … Can shed and pursue instantly, crashing into ball carriers to wrap and secure … When he plays at a low pad level, he is quick to get his hands into the blocker’s chest … Needs to be quicker using his hands to escape from the low blocks, but works fluidly back towards the ball … When he keeps his hands inside the frame of his body, he can deliver a solid hand slap, coupled with a fluid swim move to shed and close on the passer … Gets upfield quickly and has a sudden burst as a pass rusher off the edge … Must improve his anchor to neutralize double teams, but is able to stack and hold his ground when he drops his weight and plants his foot into the ground … Shows good explosion and wrap-up technique to stop the ballcarrier’s progress and is a physical striker who makes his presence felt upon arrival … Effective at stringing out the running plays and redirecting vs. outside action … Has a quick swim move and shows enough of a hand punch to defeat blocks and pressure the pocket … Can close on the quarterback with an extra surge and when he uses his hands with authority to jolt, he can control the point of attack … Has learned how to use his long arms to create separation, stuff and shed, as he has the feet to adjust to movement.
Negatives: More suited to play the edge, as he had problems defeating the combo blocks when forced to play in-line, as he struggles to sink his weight and keep his pads down, causing problems for him protecting his feet vs. low blocks … Must learn to protect his legs, as he leaves his lower body exposed too often … Physical player, but he sometimes spends too much time trying to overpower the blocker when he should be slipping off the block to make plays in pursuit … Has good lateral agility, but when he plays too tall in his stance, he takes time redirecting when trying to close on the quarterback … Needs to show better recognition ability, as he will bite on pumps and fakes … Has to do a better job of keeping blockers out of his chest, as he sometimes gets too upright in his stance, allowing the opponent to leverage against him … Could use more lower-body strength, as he can be ridden wide at the point of attack … Frustration late in games will see him over-pursue.
Compares To: JULIUS PEPPERS-Carolina … Campbell is the same type of player. He has the long reach and good explosion off the ball to demand constant double-team activity in attempts to block him. The losses seemed to wear on him late in his junior year and while 2007 could be labeled as a disappointment for both him and the entire team, he has that rare-sized frame with great athletic talent to be an impact player in the right scheme. He is best when on the move rather than battling in-line for position and, unlike Jaguars’ DT John Henderson, a former college defensive end, he does not show the blow-up strength needed to take on multiple blockers as a tackle. He has the frame to get even bigger and stronger. While his size is an asset in certain areas, he does not always keep his pad level down and could be washed out by a strong double team. If his evaluation was based solely on 2006, rather than a less-than-stellar second half of 2007, he will be one of the first defensive ends on every team’s draft board.
VIDEO
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Even though it’s a reach you’re right, Campbell will be off the board if we pass late in the first. With the thin top-shelf talent in this year’s draft and the plethora of good wideouts and low-risk good reward prospects on the offensive line I think we should grab him. We don’t have the pressure of having to try or die like any of the teams with top-10 picks, and we have a ton of good upper-and-middle round picks, I think we should take Campbell, he could be the next manifestation of Julius Peppers, we can amp up his speed with the right workouts, he’s a giant and could be an absolute steal.
Even though it’s a reach you’re right, Campbell will be off the board if we pass late in the first. With the thin top-shelf talent in this year’s draft and the plethora of good wideouts and low-risk good reward prospects on the offensive line I think we should grab him. We don’t have the pressure of having to try or die like any of the teams with top-10 picks, and we have a ton of good upper-and-middle round picks, I think we should take Campbell, he could be the next manifestation of Julius Peppers, we can amp up his speed with the right workouts, he’s a giant and could be an absolute steal.
If not Calais? I guess settle for Otah, safe bet and protecting Jason Campbell while he’s completing his development should be top priority
I like Campbell too, especially after watching that video. You wonder how he’ll do as a pro as an end… not too many 6’8 ends around. He’s very intiguing… wonder how his hands are, imagine lining him up as at WR down on the goalline.