Whew: Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Tyson Campbell earned a big bag this week by signing a four-year, $76.5 million extension. That made him the highest-paid corner in the league who hasn’t yet been recognized with a Pro Bowl nod. And it’s a big deal for Paulson Adebo. The New Orleans Saints cornerback is next in line for a new contract with free agency on the horizon in 2025.
Campbell, 24, has a lot in common with Adebo, 25. They were both picked on the second day of the 2021 NFL draft, with Adebo going off the board 43 slots after the Jaguars made Campbell the first selection of the second round. The two cornerbacks have posted strikingly similar numbers since then:
- Adebo: 7 interceptions and 33 passes defensed, with 202 tackles (166 solo, 6 tackles for loss), 2 forced fumbles and 2 fumble recoveries on 2,611 snaps across 45 games. 24 missed tackles
- Campbell: 6 interceptions and 30 passes defensed, with 203 tackles (145 solo, 6 tackles for loss), 2 forced fumbles and 2 fumble recoveries on 2,591 snaps across 43 games. 22 missed tackles
That’s close. Very close. Let’s take it a step further and look into their coverage stats from Pro Football Reference:
- Adebo: 160 completions on 265 targets (60.4%) for 2,053 yards, or 12.8 yards per catch, with 12 touchdowns allowed
- Campbell: 142 completions on 226 targets (62.8%) for 1,632 yards, or 11.5 yards per catch, with 17 touchdowns allowed
That has Adebo giving up more catches for more yards, at slightly more yards per completion and while being targeted much more often, but with Campbell being more of a vulnerability in scoring position. How do the numbers at Pro Football Focus compare to those from PFR?
- Adebo: 150 completions on 237 targets (63.3%) for 2,138 yards, or 14.3 yards per catch, with 10 touchdowns allowed
- Campbell: 148 completions on 226 targets (65.5%) for 1,696 yards, or 11.5 yards per catch, with 18 touchdowns allowed
PFF’s charting charged more completions to Adebo’s teammates than that from PFR, but they also dinged him for allowing more big plays. While it’s tough to overlook the 400-plus-yard gap in yards allowed between them, Adebo giving up so many fewer touchdown passes might balance things out.
But where they separate — unfavorably for Adebo — is in penalties. Adebo has been fouled 20 times for 276 yards through three years (with three more penalties declined by the offense). He’s drawn a dozen infractions for defensive pass interference and been flagged nine times for defensive holding. Adebo had his best season in the NFL last year and he still forfeited 92 yards by penalty.
How does Campbell compare? He’s been one of the cleanest defenders in pro football. He wasn’t fouled once during his rookie year, and he’s only had four penalties accepted in his NFL career (for 68 yards). Sure, he’s also had three penalties declined, but Adebo has allowed more than 200 penalty yards in the same period of time.
How great a difference will that make when Adebo’s up for a new deal? It says a lot that the Saints haven’t extended him yet, whereas the Jaguars have seen enough from Campbell to believe an extension is a wise investment. But with salaries on the rise and other corners from the same draft class with very similar production earning top dollar, it sure looks like Adebo may cash in next offseason. Will the Saints be the ones to pay him?
