NY Jets: Getting Cornerback Tyson Campbell in 2021 NFL Draft is a must
The NY Jets have struggled to find an answer at the cornerback position over the last couple of seasons, Tyson Campbell should be that answer. They need to get someone in the 2021 NFL Draft they can put in the slot or the outside. While the early picks should focus on the quarterback, offensive line, running back, and a mix of edge or tight end.
Corner might get pushed to the later rounds. Right now it’s a hot topic to put a corner to them at 23 in the first round I think it’s unlikely. They will need to focus on surrounding their new quarterback with the best situation possible. I would not be extremely surprised if their first three picks were all on offense. If Najee Harris or Travis Etienne at running back is there for them in the second round it would be a tough call to go defense.
Which would leave them having to attack either EDGE, tight end, or corner with the following pick. Due to the depth of EDGE that would most likely be their pick as there will be better talent there than at the corner or tight end. With the defense moving from the 3-4 to the new 4-3 after getting a new head coach, I would expect them to go more for guys who fit what he wants to do rather than talent.
This will not be an instant process, but they did add some solid talent to the defensive line in free agency to get it kick-started. The Safety position should be solid enough that their picks on defensive backs should target the corner position.
Tyson Campbell was a five-star player coming out of high school to Georiga. While he did not live up to the billing, just like many other high-end players over the recent years who went to Georiga. There is a lot left in his tank, and he still maintains the abilities that made him elite in high school. He could be a steal if they can get the best out of this tall once elite corner. He also possesses the ability to play in any way the NY Jets’ defense will ask him to and likes to get up on the line of scrimmage and get in the backfield.
When the good is good, it is really good.
He can play in just about any scheme you put him in and has a good tackling ability. Campbells 6-foot-2 and the 185-pound frame is a perfect fit for a defense who likes big tall corners. What he may lack in natural instincts at the position he makes up is great tackling ability, and his size will cause issues on the outside. When he can get his hands on the receiver at the line of scrimmage, he can instantly disrupt routes and timing.
It’s hard to imagine a corner who is as tall and big as Campbell running a 4.3 40-yard, but he did just that at his most recent pro-day. In three seasons he tallied 31 total games, with a total of 89 tackles, one sack, one interception, three and a half tackles for loss, and 10 pass break-ups.
His 2020 season was his best overall season, though his best tackling season was in 2018 as a freshman. Campbell could have done with another year in college, due to an overall lack of playing time and polish at the position. But, it won’t stop him from still going a bit high in the draft. It’s rare to have some of his natural gifted athletic ability, and it can be an amazing baseline to build a proto-type corner for Saleh’s new defense with the NY Jets.
He does show the ability to get up and break-up passes, and his height can match up with just about anyone. I think his versatility at the next level will be something to watch with his speed, he could line up anywhere but will be a bit of a project. Saleh should love his ability to be able to play close to the line and press, and be fast enough no one is ever out of reach even if he gets beat off the line.
Where will NY Jets have to look to get him?
Campbell still has a long way to go as far as becoming a true corner. Also, his lack of overall interceptions in college is a concern. You typically do not see corners who in 31 games only get one interception which game in his final year goes early. He is another one of these athletic first defensive players who will get abused at the next level if he can not learn the position. For someone as big and strong as he is he averaged just shy of three tackles a game in 2020.
He should be much more active once the ball is thrown, and after the catch. He can get lost in a zone scheme, or trust his speed to the point where he can get beat on routes he should have covered. In four games last year he was only credited with one solo tackle. He needs to get far more aggressive to stay at the next level. It is odd with his speed that he could not find a way to get more interceptions even as he grew as a corner.
There is also the possibility of his pure athletic ability just transitioning him to free safety for the NY Jets. If he can not get man coverage down, or learn how to read routes better off the snap he may be asked to move. Which he would make a good free safety with his speed and size, but it would show he was never ready to play a lock-down corner role. He is a bit of a roll of the dice when wondering what he can do at the next level and if he can grasp the defensive schemes.