Prospects the Arizona Cardinals should watch from the BIG10

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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – DECEMBER 01: Parris Campbell Jr. #21 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs the ball against the Northwestern Wildcats in the fourth quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 01, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

In the first of the Arizona Cardinals Power Five conference prospect profiles, we take a look at five prospects from the BIG10 conference.

Below are five prospects the Arizona Cardinals should consider drafting from the Big 10. While the conference as a whole didn’t make the College Football Playoffs last year, there are some big names with big potential from big-time schools available.

Parris Campbell, WR

Let’s start with Ohio State speedster Parris Campbell. His 4.31-second 40-yard-dash performance at the combine proved this prospect certainly has the speed to burn and may be an excellent toy for a creative Kliff Kingsbury offense. He finished the 2018 season with an even Pro Football Focus 86.0 rating and is ranked in their top five amongst 2019 receivers in yards per route run, slot receptions, and slot yards.

Known as a YAC ‘monster’ over his career at Ohio State he posted 1,781 yards with 1,356 coming after the catch (PFF). Those stats aren’t a fluke, he’s a creative ball carrier in the open field and possesses slippery cuts and cutbacks. He will also be a threat to take it to the house in the screen and slant game due to his speed and dynamic open field moves.

But Parris has a couple of knocks that will limit his role in the NFL; one of the biggest setbacks is his limited route tree as he’s known as a vertical or slant receiver. He will fight the ball at times which results in drops, and it shows in his drop rate at 5.2% ranking him 54th in his class, per PFF. His lack of physicality will hinder his ability in contested catches, meaning his best role on a team would be quick intermittent routes allowing him to use his open-field ability.

Final Verdict

Campbell will be used initially as a special teams specialist and in sub packages. However, Kingsbury and Keim would get a steal if they got him in the third or fourth rounds. If he learns to add to his route tree and goes under Larry Fitzgerald‘s wing, he could be a mainstay in the Cardinals lineup week after week.

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