There are a lot of problems for the Jacksonville Jaguars to fix after three consecutive losses and a season-worst performance from the defense in Week 6. The good news for the Jaguars defensively is that second-year cornerback Tyson Campbell looks like a star.
Campbell, 22, was the Jaguars’ second-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft and he’s been stellar so far in his sophomore campaign.
Through six weeks, only three NFL players who have been targeted at least 30 times this season have allowed fewer yardage than Campbell.
Patrick Surtain did not allow a reception in coverage for the second time in a game this season.
Surtain has allowed just 142 yards on 35 targets this season, the 2nd-fewest yards allowed in the NFL (min. 30 targets).#DENvsLAC #BroncosCountry pic.twitter.com/50JSh6Z8tT
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) October 18, 2022
Campbell is allowing a 62.9 passer rating when targeted this season and he was the highest graded defensive back in the NFL by Pro Football Focus in Week 6.
In the Jaguars’ 34-27 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, Campbell was targeted six times by Matt Ryan and allowed just three receptions for eight yards. While the Colts’ Alec Pierce caught a game-winning 32-yard touchdown over cornerback Shaquill Griffin in the final minute, Campbell put the clamps on Pierce for the majority of the game.
Matt Ryan threw for 389 Sunday, but Tyson Campbell allowed just 3 rec on 6 targets for 8 yards w 2 forced incompletions while earning a 91.3 coverage grade. The other side was a different story. #Jaguars #Jags pic.twitter.com/JDNzzrbYsi
— Clay Harbor (@clayharbs82) October 17, 2022
What has perhaps prevented Campbell from getting more recognition or solidifying his place as a truly elite cornerback has been his difficulty locating the ball in the air. While he’s been on the hip of every receiver he’s faced in 2022, Campbell hasn’t had an interception since the Week 1 opener against the Washington Commanders.
His tendency to stay step for step with receivers, but not find the the ball in time to make a play, has led to Campbell winding up on the wrong side of some highlight reel plays this season.
Jahan Dotson: “(Campbell) was jumping our short routes. That’s why he had the interception on the sideline. But we got him right where we wanted him: third down, man to man. He wanted to be aggressive, and we had a counter for it.” https://t.co/GsUL4xseQUpic.twitter.com/euAADA48kG
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) September 15, 2022
Regardless, Campbell is making life difficult for opposing offenses and proving himself to be a rising star with the potential to be a cornerstone of the Jaguars defense for the foreseeable future.
