Colts’ Parris Campbell is a ‘threat on all levels’

Colts have a lot of confidence in Parris Campbell.

The Indianapolis Colts are excited to get their wide receiver corps on the field in 2020 and one of the players most are looking forward to watching is Parris Campbell.

Enduring a rookie season that included four separate injuries and three surgeries, Campbell is back for his sophomore campaign looking to put the injuries behind him. His skill set is perfect for the offense, and wide receivers coach Mike Groh believes he’s a threat in multiple areas.

“Yeah, it’s unfortunate that he had the injury bug last year, but that doesn’t diminish his skillset. Parris is somebody that I think is a threat on all levels,” Groh told Colts.com. “He’s somebody you can get the ball into their hands very quickly, he’s dynamic with the ball in his hands, can make people miss, break tackles. He’s got vision as a runner. I think he certainly has the ability and the skillset to be a very good route runner.”

Campbell is certainly an interesting player for the Colts this season. His speed alone makes him an intriguing pair with new quarterback Philip Rivers—someone who can get Campbell the ball quickly and allow him to work after the catch.

The Ohio State product will have the type of speed that defenses must respect, which will have an indirect impact on the rest of the offense.

“So as an intermediate player, I think you’re going to see a lot of development there, just going into his second year and being able to dedicate himself to becoming a complete receiver,” said Groh. “Then, he’s a threat deep. I mean, he’s got the speed that gets people’s attention. You’ve put on the tape, the DBs that lineup across from him know that he can run by them, so that backs people up and that helps the offense, that helps run game, it helps the other guys around him when you have a guy like that on the field that people have to pay attention to.”

Campbell will have to compete for targets in the offense, but he’s someone to watch as a breakout candidate in 2020.

Buckeye Battle Cry Series: Best Ohio State football player to wear No. 21

Who is the best Ohio State football player to ever don the No. 21? We asked a few of our writers as we continue on with our jersey series.

We’ve been going through a series here at Buckeyes Wire. It’s a debate on which Ohio State football player is the best to wear specific jersey numbers, and we’re cruising along, now up to jersey No. 21 as we count down towards the hopeful start of college football in 2020.

Before we get into all the fun, here’s an update on where we stand with the jersey numbers we’ve debated to date:

We’re all a little stir crazy from being locked down because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but as things begin to open, it’s still fun to debate Buckeye football history. In the long, illustrious history of Ohio State football, there is sure to be some disagreement, but that only makes it more fun.

We will continue to keep going along his journey through the summer and will have the results of all of the Twitter surveys where you can vote further down the road.

Next … Mark’s kicks things off

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2020 Colts training camp preview: WR Parris Campbell

Parris Campbell has a lot to prove in 2020.

The Indianapolis Colts are hoping to return from their summer break on July 28 for training camp, barring any changes. We will be previewing the majority of the roster as the summer progresses.

Name: Parris Campbell
Position: WR
Height: 6-foot-0
Weight: 205
Age: 22
Free Agent Year: 2023

Background

A second-round pick with the Colts in 2019, Campbell had high hopes to be a major piece of the passing game during his rookie season. However, a myriad of injuries kept him from staying on the field. The Ohio State product truly went through a career’s worth of injuries in only a matter of months. He dealt with a calf injury, a sports hernia, a broken hand and broken foot, the final of which ended his season. Three of those injuries required surgery.

Campbell finished his rookie season with seven games played while recording 18 receptions for 127 yards and one touchdown. He also took four carries for 34 rushing yards.

Expected Role

As the Colts hope to get rookie Michael Pittman Jr. acclimated as the X-receiver in the offense and with T.Y. Hilton serving as the unit’s Z-receiver/flanker, Campbell will spend most of his time in the slot. Coming off of the injury-ravaged campaign, Campbell will be a part of the competition for the WR3 role on the depth chart. His biggest competition will be Zach Pascal.

2020 Outlook

Many have pegged Campbell as a potential breakout player in 2020. The chance is certainly there for him, especially if he can carve out his role early on as the slot receiver. Much of his target share numbers will correlate with running back Nyheim Hines. Both are expected to see a lot of work from the slot. Whoever gets more playing time there is most likely to be more productive in the passing game.

Campbell has the talent to be a strong asset for the Colts during his second season. He has game-breaking speed, reliable hands and working from the slot is better suited for his skill set. His new quarterback in Philip Rivers should find Campbell as a reliable target early on.

While there is a lot of optimism for Campbell to be the WR3, he has to earn it. Both Pascal and Hines will be there to take away snaps and targets from the speedy wideout so he must establish himself early on. Over everything, Campbell has to prove he can stay healthy.

Bottom Line

There is a ridiculously high ceiling for the career of Campbell. He can be a menace from the slot but he first must prove he can stay healthy. After that, he will have to prove himself worthy of a starting role in the wide receiver corps. While his production depends on his target share numbers, Campbell will be a valuable asset to the passing game regardless.

Colts’ Parris Campbell prioritizing his health in Year 2

Parris Campbell is making sure his body is in tip-top shape.

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Parris Campbell went through the type of rookie season that isn’t seen very often. The second-round pick endured a career’s worth of injuries over the course of a six-month span.

Soft tissue injuries, sports hernia, a broken hand and a broken foot kept the Ohio State product from getting consistent playing time during his first season in the NFL. Three of those injuries required surgery.

Entering his second season, Campbell is using this time to prioritize his health.

“Aside of obviously working out, conditioning, doing all those things, catching footballs and all that stuff – those are things that I’ve always done. But just when I speak of the routine I’m just talking about things to do to take care of my body,” Campbell told reporters this month. “Whether that’s doing ART (active release techniques) twice a week, getting massages three times a week, stretching every morning and night. I’ve really kind of honed in on that. Just making sure my body is in tip-top shape. As soon as I’m not feeling well one day, I’m talking to the trainers – even though I can’t see them, I’m talking to them and letting them know what’s going on, seeing what I can do next. I have a strict routine like I said, ART, massages, stretching. I’m really honed in on that.”

Had Campbell not gone through the ringer of injuries, he would have had ample opportunities to break out during his rookie season. He wasn’t the only wide receiver dealing with ailments as the entire room seemed to have caught the injury bug throughout the 2019 campaign.

But the past is the past, and Campbell now is looking toward making an impact during his second season.

With T.Y. Hilton returning on the final year of his current contract and Michael Pittman Jr. joining the room as the likely X receiver on the boundary, Campbell will mostly work out of the slot while the Colts find other creative ways to get him the ball.

Campbell has a chance to carve out a role in the offense in Year 2 but making sure his health is in order should be top priority for the speedy wideout.

Who has Philip Rivers thrown with so far this offseason?

Colts QB getting in work with his new teammates.

The new signal-caller for the Indianapolis Colts in Philip Rivers has officially arrived in the Circle City and has already contacted some of his teammates to get some work in on the field.

Typically, Rivers would be working with all of his pass-catchers this offseason, but the last few months have been unique for the entire league due to the coronavirus restrictions.

But among the players who have already worked with Rivers since his arrival to a new city include wide receiver Parris Campbell and tight end Jack Doyle.

The guys Rivers has been throwing to are Jack Doyle and Parris Campbell the last couple of days.

— Joel A. Erickson (@JoelAErickson) June 10, 2020

This shouldn’t be taken for more or less than it is. But it is good that Rivers is beginning to throw and connect with his new teammates, especially two that should be solid targets for the veteran in the middle of the field.

Doyle is a great security blanket in the middle of the field and in the short passing game for Rivers. He has reliable hands and while he isn’t the most explosive receiver, he should see plenty of work from his new quarterback.

Campbell’s season is one that has plenty of question marks but also plenty of upside. If he can stay healthy and truly carve out a role from the slot, somewhat of a breakout season could be in store. However, his production is largely dependant on how much of a role Nyheim Hines gets in the passing game so we will have to wait and see how that shakes out before truly determining what kind of campaign Campbell is in for.

It’s a good sign that Rivers has begun to connect with his new teammates and while we might not hear about all of the work they are doing behind the scenes, it bodes well for the offense clicking early if they can continue to work throughout the summer.

Parris Campbell’s best football is ‘out in front of him’

Parris Campbell getting more love from the coaching staff.

Though the Indianapolis Colts used their first pick in the 2020 NFL Draft to bring in a new wide receiver, the coaching staff is still bullish on the prospects of Parris Campbell in the offensive system.

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Dealt a tough break due to four separate injuries and three surgeries during his rookie season, Campbell wasn’t able to make a strong impact in 2019. But he’s fully healthy now, and the coaching staff has been talking him up lately.

The latest has been that of new wide receivers coach Mike Groh, who liked Campbell before joining the Colts’ staff this offseason.

“(I) really liked him coming out of Ohio State; thought he was dynamic with the ball in his hand. I thought he had elite speed, so he’s able to stretch the defense, and stretch the defense vertically, really, on all levels, get the ball to him quickly,” Groh said Thursday. “I saw the potential to be a very good route runner; wasn’t asked to do a whole lot of that at Ohio State, but I really think his best football, in terms of becoming a complete receiver, is out in front of him.”

Campbell enters a tough situation in 2020 but not one that he can’t overcome. With T.Y. Hilton returning as the lead dog and Michael Pittman Jr. taking over as the X receiver in the offense, Campbell will see more time in the slot while competing for the WR3 role on the depth chart.

Having to deal with the types of injuries and the frequency in which they hit him was tough both physically and mentally on the former second-round pick. However, the Colts are excited to see what they can get in a full season from Campbell.

“He’s extremely bright, he’s tough, he’s willing to do anything that is required of him in whatever role we need him to play, and he’s somebody that the defense has to be aware of, ’cause he can get behind you and score in one play,” said Groh.

Campbell faces a big year in 2020 after missing most of his rookie campaign. He will have to compete and earn his role in the room but as long as he’s healthy, he has a shot at carving out a role in the passing offense.

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Projecting Parris Campbell’s stats for the 2020 season

How will Parris Campbell fare in 2020?

The Indianapolis Colts are hoping they see a lot of development from their second-round pick in 2019. Wide receiver Parris Campbell was dealt a tough hand his rookie season but will be looking to make an impact on the roster.

With a new quarterback in Philip Rivers, the Colts should see an uptick in the passing game. Campbell will be serving as the slot wide receiver for Rivers to begin the season and will likely take the majority of his snaps inside like he did in college with the Buckeyes.

Campbell played in just seven games during the 2019 season. He suffered four separate injuries, three of which required surgery. Heading into 2020, Campbell is fully healthy and looking to make an impact.

Here are my early projections for the former second-round pick:

Targets	Rec.	Yards	TDs	Yds/Rec.	Target Share	Catch Rate
56	39	433	2	11.1	10%	70%

Targets: These numbers might feel low for Campbell, especially given that he will be working the short game from the slot. However, the biggest detriment to Campbell’s target share is running back Nyheim Hines. If Hines truly has a big piece of the passing offense as the team continues to say—I have a projected 15% target share right now—then Campbell will be the one who sees fewer targets because he works in the slot. If he comes out and proves to be a favorite target of Rivers, then this could change. But with the drumbeat so loud for Hines, it’s hard to see both of them thriving in the passing offense.

Catch Rate: Campbell has reliable hands so projecting a strong catch rate isn’t too difficult. He showed in college he has secure hands and posted a 75% catch rate during his rookie season (24 targets). Working in the slot and mostly in the short passing game, things shouldn’t change all that much for Campbell when it comes to his catch rate. It wouldn’t even be a surprise to see him post a higher number than 70%.

Rushing: It should also be noted that there are some rushing numbers for Campbell in his projections. Right now, I have Campbell projected for nine carries and 76 rushing yards. The Colts will be looking to get the ball in his hands any way they can so he can use that 4.31 speed.

Conclusion

I love what Campbell brings to the Colts offense in terms of value and talent. But it’s hard to project him holding a large target share in the passing offense with Michael Pittman Jr. and the aforementioned Hines likely on the pecking order ahead of Campbell. It might be that Campbell is simply a better real wide receiver than a fantasy wide receiver for the Colts in 2020.

Point Projections

PPR: 101.9
Half-PPR: 82.4
Non-PPR: 62.9

Parris Campbell says he’s 100% healthy

Can Parris Campbell break through in 2020?

The Indianapolis Colts are expecting a bounce-back year from one of their up and coming wide receivers in Parris Campbell, who enters Year 2 looking to move past an injury-riddled rookie campaign.

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Campbell, who spoke to the media Wednesday on a conference call, said he’s back at 100% right now and has been running routes at full speed for about two months.

“I’m 100 percent,” Campbell said. “”I say that with a smile because it’s fun doing that stuff again.”

The Colts selected Campbell in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft hoping he could use his speed and reliable hands to make an impact during his rookie season.

Four injuries and three surgeries later, it proved to be a hard first season for Campbell. Not only was it tough on him physically, but Campbell also had to work through those injuries from a mental standpoint.

“It was very taxing,” Campbell said. “Especially for someone (like me), I had never experienced anything like that.”

The Ohio State product brings game-changing speed to the Colts offense. His 4.31 in the 40-yard dash shows up on tape and while he didn’t get to show much of it during his rookie season (24 targets in seven games).

The Colts have high hopes for Campbell to emerge as a key cog in the offense during his second season, but it won’t come without some competition for that role.

Campbell will be fighting for the WR3 role with Zach Pascal behind T.Y. Hilton and second-round pick Michael Pittman Jr., who will working mainly on the outside. Campbell will also have to compete with running back Nyheim Hines for targets while tight ends Jack Doyle and Trey burton will get their respective shares of the passing game.

There is no denying what type of talent Campbell brings to the offense and if he’s back healthy, it should be another optimistic offseason for the speedy wideout.

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Colts plan to use Parris Campbell more in the slot in 2020

Parris Campbell hopes to bounce back in Year 2.

The Indianapolis Colts wide receiver room is one that is promising but still has plenty to prove in 2020. Among those looking to bounce back in a big way for the upcoming campaign is second-year pass catcher Parris Campbell.

Missing most of his rookie season due to a myriad of injuries, Campbell never got see consistent playing time in 2019. It seemed another injury would hit him just as quickly as he got over his previous injury.

But the Colts still have faith in the former second-round pick. Head coach Frank Reich believes in the upside that Campbell possesses, and he told reporters Tuesday the latter will see more work in the slot.

“To your point, he will play more in the slot this year, but you guys know how we do things. We will move him around,” Reich said. “We’ll move everybody around. That’s just the way we roll. You play one position (at) receiver, you need to play all three.”

With Campbell working mostly in the slot, that means T.Y. Hilton and rookie second-round pick Michael Pittman Jr. will see most of their time on the outside. But we know the former will get moved around all over the place.

Campbell played mostly in the slot during his time at Ohio State and proved to be a menace with the ball in his hands. The 4.31 speed doesn’t hurt, but Campbell also showed reliable hands and solid footwork in and out of his routes. The Colts tried him out on the boundary during his rookie year, but it seems most of his work will come inside.

Reich pointed out that Campbell still possesses a lot of upside as a 22-year-old wide receiver with game-breaking speed.

“Yeah, well I’ll just say at the outset I’m super pumped about Parris (Campbell) – where the upside is,” Reich said. “Super excited about Parris and just need to get him on the field so he can develop more as a route runner.”

Campbell can be used both as a receiver and a runner so as long as he’s healthy, expect the Colts to use him however they can.

Colts’ WR corps ranked 22nd by PFF

Colts need a better year from their WR corps.

The Indianapolis Colts entered the offseason knowing they had to get more explosive weapons in the wide receiver room if they truly wanted their offense to bounce back from the rough showing in 2019.

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While they passed on adding a body to the room in free agency, they zeroed-in on the prospect they wanted the entire offseason in the 2020 NFL Draft. That turned into them selecting Michael Pittman Jr. with the No. 34 pick, adding him to a promising group of wide receivers.

There is still a lot to prove in the room though, and Pro Football Focus ranked the wide receiver corps at No. 22 in the NFL.

The Colts’ cast of pass-catching options was ugly last season. T.Y. Hilton, Devin Funchess and Parris Campbell all dealt with injuries, and that thrust Zach Pascal into the WR1 role at times. To be fair, Pascal played well in that role (73.7 overall grade in 2019), but now Hilton and Campbell return healthy and Michael Pittman Jr. is set to be added into the mix. Pittman is someone who should have a big immediate impact on this offense — he is one of the best underneath route-runners in this class and boasts sure hands (five drops on 176 career catchable passes in college). This is a group that still has a lot to prove, but it’s one that shows promise.

A big component of the Colts’ wide receiver room in 2020 will be their health. The group was decimated by injuries in 2019 and they are hoping for better fortunes in that area.

But with Hilton leading the way as the Z/flanker, the group boasts a lot of promise. Pittman Jr. falls into the X-receiver role working primarily on the boundary. Philip Rivers should target him both underneath and down the field, allowing the rookie to prove his worth as a contested-catch option.

There will be an intriguing battle for WR3 between Campbell and Pascal. While Campbell might boast a better skillset, Pascal emerged as a strong and reliable option when the Colts needed it most. Most of Pascal’s work came out wide while Campbell projects to the slot for the most part.

The depth in the room will be interesting as well. Depending on how many wide receivers they keep, the final one or two spots will be determined between Daurice Fountain, Marcus Johnson, Ashton Dulin and sixth-round pick Dezmon Patmon.

The group has a lot of versatility and upside and while the addition of Rivers should help with production, the room also has to do its part in getting the offense to be more explosive again.

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