The Indianapolis Colts have high hopes for the passing game after bringing in veteran quarterback Philip Rivers via free agency, but they are also excited because there will be a clean slate for speedy wide receiver Parris Campbell.
Dealing with a career’s worth of injuries over a matter of months, Campbell struggled to stay on the field in 2019. But things are looking up for the Ohio State product as a potential breakout candidate during his Year 2 campaign.
ESPN’s Mike Clay even believes Campbell can have a similar breakout to that of Jaguars wide receiver D.J. Chark, who essentially came out of nowhere to have a strong season.
This season’s DJ Chark Jr.: Parris Campbell
Chark was an unheralded second-year, Day 2 draft pick who emerged as a fantasy starter.
Chark and Campbell are a bit different in that Chark is a tall, thin perimeter target, whereas Campbell is small, quick and versatile. Regardless, both entered their second seasons as undervalued fantasy assets after underwhelming and/or injury-plagued rookie campaigns. Campbell touched the ball only 22 times as a rookie (Chark had 14) but is positioned as perhaps Indianapolis’ No. 2 target behind T.Y. Hilton. Campbell will need to fend off the likes of Michael Pittman Jr. and Jack Doyle for targets in a run-first scheme, but the combination of talent and opportunity makes the Ohio State product a strong late-round pick.
Other candidates: J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, Andy Isabella, Jalen Hurd, Miles Boykin
Does this mean Campbell will go for 73-1008-8? The odds aren’t likely. Chark is the unquestioned WR1 in his offense on a team that will throw a lot because they are behind often. But Campbell turning in a strong campaign isn’t completely out of the cards.
He will have to quickly develop a rapport with the aforementioned Rivers while solidifying himself as the second or third option in the passing game, but Campbell has all of the requisite skills to have a breakout season in 2020.
The odds of Campbell hitting 1,000 yards in 2020 isn’t very likely, but that doesn’t mean he can’t have a strong sophomore campaign with a new quarterback.