As fans, we often forget that NFL rookies are mostly 21 or 22 years old, fresh out of a college experience in which they were campus celebrities. Of course, every player has a different story, but many of these rookies are still developing maturity as adults.
That's why it's so important to have veteran players in the locker room to guide young stars through their introduction to the NFL. Vets can teach rookies the tricks of the trade, both on and off the field.
Calais Campbell, one of the Arizona Cardinals' free-agent signings on the interior of the defensive line, is the ideal veteran to mentor young players. With first-round pick Walter Nolen entering the building, he's got the perfect project.
Calais Campbell can show Walter Nolen the ropes of the NFL
In a recent article, PFF listed a few pairings of rookies and veterans they find intriguing. Walter Nolen and Calais Campbell were near the top of the list. They expect Campbell to guide Nolen both in how to dominate on the field and how to be a professional off of it.
As Trevor Sikkema, the PFF analyst, put it, "Beyond the numbers, Campbell is a pro’s pro. Nolen can use this season to learn as much as possible from a player who knows what it takes to be consistently impactful on the defensive line."
Calais Campbell has had about as much experience in the NFL as any player in league history. He's played 18 seasons in the league, and he's set to start his 19th in the fall. Campbell played his first nine seasons with the Arizona Cardinals. Now, he's returning to the team that drafted him for what is likely his final stint.
Campbell and Walter Nolen fit the same general archetype. They're both big-bodied, explosive defensive linemen capable of wrecking plays in the backfield. In many ways, Walter Nolen is an unrefined version of the player that Calais Campbell is today. Campbell can teach Nolen the pass-rush moves and technical abilities he's learned through his years in the league.
Coming into the draft, there were some concerns regarding Walter Nolen's character. According to Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer, "Nolen’s practice habits and sense of entitlement have been questioned."
Some scouts have criticized Nolen for taking plays off and not consistently showing adequate effort. Whether these reports hold water or not is certainly up for debate. What's certain is that Calais Campbell is the kind of veteran you would want to have around a rookie with these concerns.
Campbell is one of the most respected players in the NFL. He received the Walter Payton Man of the Year award in 2019 for his efforts in the community.
Remember, Walter Nolen is still just 21 years old. Like everyone his age, he has some learning and growing to do. I can't think of any player in the NFL I'd rather have beside him in that process than Calais Campbell.