According to ESPN analyst Dianna Russini, defensive tackle Calais Campbell is expected to sign with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed yet. Campbell spent the first nine seasons of his career with the Arizona Cardinals.
Jacksonville is expected to sign Arizona DE Calais Campbell barring any last minute negotiable snags, per @diannaESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2017
Report: Calais Campbell To Sign With Jacksonville Jaguars
Campbell had another great season in 2016. He formed part of a fearsome front seven for the Arizona Cardinals that led the league in sacks. Campbell had 53 tackles, eight sacks, two forced fumbles and even recorded an interception. His 2016 season was the most productive of his career since 2011.
A steady producer on the field, Campbell is also a quality leader in the locker room. He’s also very durable, having missed just six games in his nine years with Arizona. He has averaged 60 tackles and seven sacks per season since 2010. He was selected to the 2014 and 2015 Pro Bowl and was selected to the Associated Press Second-Team All-NFL in 2014 and 2016.
Campbell can do it all along the defensive front but is the best fit for a 3-4 scheme that allows him to use his size to stuff the run and disrupt the pocket from the middle. He does have the ability to use his length and excellent hand placement to rush from the edge but lacks the speed to scare tackles around the outside.
The 30-year-old veteran still has gas in the tank, but the question is for how long. Players like James Harrison and Julius Peppers are changing the conversation about defensive linemen having rapidly declining production after the age of 30.
Campbell was a second-round pick of the Arizona Cardinals in 2008. He was a standout defensive end for the Miami Hurricanes for three seasons. In his sophomore year, Campbell racked up 10.5 sacks which landed him the number 15 spot in the nation in 2006. In his rookie season, the Cardinals went on an improbable run to the Super Bowl. Arizona lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers
In high school, Campbell was a multi-sport star in Colorado. In football, he held the state record for sacks at 57 in his career. In basketball, he averaged 22.7 points, 16 rebounds, and 3.3 blocks per game and was an All-State section his Junior year. He also competed in track and field in the jumping and throwing events.
