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Inside linebacker addition a good one for Arizona Cardinals

By Jim Koch

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 8: Stefon Diggs #14 of the Minnesota Vikings catches the ball over defender De'Vondre Campbell #59 of the Atlanta Falcons in the third quarter of the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 8, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 8: Stefon Diggs #14 of the Minnesota Vikings catches the ball over defender De'Vondre Campbell #59 of the Atlanta Falcons in the third quarter of the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 8, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) /
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De’Vondre Campbell is the final piece to what appears to be a formidable contingent of linebackers for the Arizona Cardinals

Entering the 2020 offseason, the Arizona Cardinals had two slots to fill at the linebacker position. On Wednesday, the front office added Devon Kennard, an edge-rusher who can assist Chandler Jones in the team’s pass-rushing department. Just one day later, Cards general manager Steve Keim turned his attention to the vacant spot on the inside next to Jordan Hicks.

De’Vondre Campbell, who spent the past four campaigns as a starter with the Atlanta Falcons, is headed to the desert. ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting that the 26-year signed a one-year contract with Arizona. Drew Rosenhaus, Campbell’s agent, has revealed that the deal will pay his client upwards of $8.5 million for the upcoming season.

Keim has acquired three top defensive players over the last three days, and Campbell may very well be the most valuable member of the trio. During his 16 appearances (15 starts) in 2019, the 6’4, 232 pounder racked up an outstanding 129 tackles. Campbell also recorded two sacks, two interceptions and five passes defensed for Atlanta this past fall.

One of the best aspects of Campbell’s game just happens to be what was

one of the biggest weaknesses of coordinator Vance Joseph‘s defense in ’19. Opposing tight ends had their way with the Cardinal defenders who attempted to cover them last year. Campbell has declared that there’s no one who plays that position in the NFL that he can’t guard successfully, a statement that has to bring a smile to Joseph’s face.

Campbell entered the league back in 2016 as a fourth-round draft pick of the Falcons. The Fort Myers, Florida native began his collegiate career at Hutchinson Community College, before moving on to the University of Minnesota. Campbell’s best performance for the Golden Gophers was back in 2015, when he tallied 92 tackles, four sacks, an interception and three pass breakups.

Next. Grading Cardinals moves. dark

During his first three campaigns as a professional, Campbell totaled 234 tackles in 43 games (39 starts) for Atlanta. The veteran contributed 3.5 sacks, a pick, 11 passes defensed and nine quarterback hits during that time period as well. Kudos to Keim for his latest addition to the Cards defense, the versatile Campbell certainly looks like a good one.

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