Tyson Campbell 2021 NFL Draft Overview
Position: Cornerback
Height: 6’-1”
Weight: 193 pounds
School: Georgia
Tyson Campbell 2021 NFL Draft Profile
After spending the past three seasons with the Georgia Bulldogs, cornerback Tyson Campbell hopes to take his freaky athleticism to the next level via the 2021 NFL Draft. Campbell is coming off what might just be his best season to date. Seeing the field for 601 snaps, the cornerback finished the season allowing 30 receptions on 46 targets for 340 yards, five touchdowns, and one interception.
Interestingly enough, Campbell spent his high school tenure opposite Patrick Surtain II, another well-regarded cornerback prospect in this class. After former one of the greatest cornerback duos in high school football, Campbell went off to Georgia. He made an immediate impact, playing in 588 snaps as a rookie while allowing 31 receptions on 51 targets for 411 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions.
Strengths
- Size, length, and athleticism – you can’t teach his natural build;
- Great change of direction ability, especially considering his height;
- Fast player with the speed to recover when initially beat;
- Sound tackler that is more than willing to help out in the run game;
- Sound footwork and hip movement throughout the route;
- Former high school sprinter, and speed translated to the football field.
Weaknesses
- Very, very raw player that has yet to get the most of his physical gifts;
- Below-average ball awareness;
- Doesn’t play up to his size, especially in man;
- Was absolutely destroyed by Alabama;
- Needs to trust his instincts – often times hesitates and is a step late;
- Doesn’t read the quarterback all that well in zone.
NFL Comparison: Eli Apple
Teams With Need At Position: Atlanta Falcons, Detroit Lions, Denver Broncos, Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers, Arizona Cardinals
Projection: 3rd Round
Bottom Line on Tyson Campbell
Tyson Campbell will either be one of the best or worst cornerbacks in the NFL, and it’s hard to imagine much of a middle ground. From a physical standpoint, Campbell has all the tools you need to be a great NFL cornerback. He has the perfect body and athleticism for the job, and you simply cannot teach that. His movement is as smooth as any corner in the class, and his breakneck speed allows him to recover when he loses off the line (it happens to everyone). As an added bonus, he might just be the best tackling cornerback in the class and doesn’t mind helping out on running plays.
On the other hand, Campbell still has a long way to go before he comes close to reaching his ceiling. Campbell’s lack of ball skills are particularly concerning, as Pro Football Focus says he only has a 10.3% forced incompletion rate. This lack of awareness carries over into his work in zone coverage, as he’s often a step too late because he doesn’t trust his instincts. Lesser quarterbacks weren’t able to take advantage of this, but NFL-caliber passers absolutely will. After all, Mac Jones and company abused him in the fourth game of the season.
Ultimately, all of Campbell’s flaws are fixable with the right coaching. The real question is: will that coaching ever come? He’s too risky to justify taking in the first or second round, but he’s a perfect gamble in the third. Don’t expect an immediate impact, but he could turn into a solid starter in a season or two.
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