Those that do not be taught from their errors are doomed to repeat them. It’s a timeless saying, talking to the significance of reflection and lesson studying. Some classes are realized the arduous manner and others from observing. The Dallas Cowboys’ latest free agent addition, vast receiver Parris Campbell, falls into the latter class of classes.
As soon as upon a time Campbell was one of many hottest prospects within the draft. The Ohio State All-Star was a Championship athlete with a game-breaking skillset. At 6-foot, 205-pounds and 4.3 40-speed, Campbell is uncommon mixture of measurement and pace. With the power to cease and begin on a dime, Campbell was each a feared return man in addition to a dashing and receiving risk. He seemed like the whole package deal.
In 2018 Campbell posted 90 receptions for 1,063 yards and 12 touchdowns for the Buckeyes, proving he wasn’t simply uncooked capability but in addition a producer. He was typically known as the second coming of Percy Harvin and in some ways projected to comply with Tyreek Hill in all the best methods.
As many nicely know, Campbell by no means remotely approached these large expectations. In six NFL seasons Campbell has solely amassed 123 receptions for 1,117 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns. He hasn’t had a single season averaging greater than 37 receiving yards per recreation and solely performed one season with greater than three begins. It’s been a wildly disappointing profession for somebody who appeared so “can’t miss” when he was chosen by Indianapolis within the second spherical of the 2019 draft.
Typically, as is probably going the case with Campbell, all of it comes right down to good old style scouting. The numbers don’t see it, the athletic testing doesn’t see it, however uncooked scouting sees it. Scouting stories universally observed his restricted position at Ohio State. He produced large outcomes however he executed a relatively elementary gameplan.
Campbell’s route tree was sparse, his route operating was sloppy and his downfield alternatives have been restricted. Campbell produced partially as a gadget participant. His run after the catch capability saved a lot of his routes shallow and unsophisticated and the majority of his downfield manufacturing got here in opposition to comfortable zones that required little technical acumen from Campbell.
Clearly, well being performed an unlimited position in Campbell’s capability to develop as an NFL WR as nicely. Unable to remain on the sphere, Campbell struggled constructing a basis of data and muscle reminiscence. However the actual lesson to be realized is that regardless of all his manufacturing and translatable expertise, Campbell was an unproven commodity. He was uncooked in his growth and for years had survived on his pure capability.
It’s a cautionary story for the Cowboys. Gamers with elite bodily traits are necessary. Gamers with confirmed faculty manufacturing are additionally necessary. However gamers with confirmed data, approach and positional consciousness are simply as necessary. Not all schemes are designed to focus on the gamers themselves so it’s not at all times straightforward to inform if the participant is undeveloped or simply underutilized. Typically it takes good old style scouting to know what a participant can do if he is simply unleashed and refocused within the NFL. It may be utilized to receivers, pass-rushers, tight ends, quarterbacks and extra. It is an necessary lesson for the Cowboys to remember as they navigate the upcoming 2025 NFL draft.
