Jacksonville Jaguars CB Tyson Campbell making a leap in Year 2

When you think of second-year Jacksonville Jaguars players, Trevor Lawrence most likely comes to mind first. Similarly, if you were asked to name a Jags defender, you would probably mention outside linebacker Josh Allen or maybe rookie sensation Devin Lloyd. But what about cornerback Tyson Campbell? The sophomore has grown considerably since the end of the 2021 season and head coach Doug Pederson recently talked about his progress.

“As he’s played more, he’s gained more confidence”, Pederson said of Campbell during an exchange with the local media Wednesday. “Came out of training camp that way. You can see it in his play. Early in the season, you saw a couple throws his way that didn’t go his way”.

“But now, as teams try to challenge that side, you’re seeing him break those plays up and make those plays. It just comes from playing. Young players need to play. He’s done a nice job, he’s fitting into the scheme really well and just playing with confidence”, Pederson said.

Campbell has started every game this season and has recorded one interception, one forced fumble, and six pass deflections. The former Georgia Bulldog is allowing a 60.6 percent completion rate this season and posted an outstanding Pro Football Focus overall grade of 91.6, a feat that got him the spotlight following Week 6.

Tyson Campbell has become a key cog in the Jaguars’ secondary

A second-round pick in the 2021 draft, Campbell wasn’t a universally popular choice. In particular, this writer thought it was unnecessary when you take into account that the Jags had just re-signed Tre Herndon and Sidney Jones. Moreover, the team’s brass also inked Shaquill Griffin in free agency and former first-round pick C.J. Henderson was still on the roster at the time.

However, Campbell has steadily improved and has gone on to become one of the Jaguars’ top young players. In fact, he, just like Lawrence, was seen as a candidate to make a leap in Year 2.

This is more impressive when you take into account that Campbell struggled early in the 2021 season. The fact that he had to deal with a toe injury that forced him to miss time didn’t help matters. But once he was healthy, he showed considerable progress and even led the team in interceptions with two.

Campbell has already become a mainstay of the Jags’ secondary and if he can make a few more impact plays, it won’t be long before the national media starts talking about him non-stop.