When cornerback Tyson Campbell landed on Injury Reserve early in the season, it looked like the Jacksonville Jaguars could be feeling buyer's remorse. After all, this was the second straight year the former Georgia Bulldog had missed time with a hamstring injury, and they had just given him a monster contract extension earlier this year. However, he's back in the fold and validating the Jags' decision to fork out top-market money for him.
Campbell had a pretty productive outing against the Minnesota Vikings, giving up just three receptions on five targets for 30 yards. That's the kind of production you want from a high-end corner. On top of that, he tipped a pass that teammate Foyesaded Oluokun reeled in for an interception.
3 with the PBU, 23 with the cleanup!@foyelicious | #MINvsJAX on FOX pic.twitter.com/N52ATjfvnR
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) November 10, 2024
Pro Football Focus gave Campbell an overall grade of 59.1, but the truth is that he did a great job of locking down wide receiver Justin Jefferson when he shadowed him. JP Acosta was certainly pleased with the fourth-year cornerback's performance, pointing out that he "erases plays at the line of scrimmage and is a factor against the run."
Still working through MIN O-JAX D but a few thoughts:
— JP Acosta (@acosta32_jp) November 11, 2024
—Tyson Campbell is AWESOME. Erases plays at the LOS with his physicality and is a factor in run defense
—Best Devin Lloyd has played in a while. Looked more decisive
—Josh Oliver should be more of a factor in passing game
Campbell ultimately ended the game with one pass defensed, and nine total tackles. For the season, he's logged two pass deflections and 23 total tackles.
A second-round pick in the 2021 draft, Campbell turned heads earlier this year when he got a fourth-year contract worth $76.5 million. Observers were appalled because it was the highest for a corner that's never made the Pro Bowl or earned an All-Pro designation.
However, general manager Trent Baalke justified the decision by pointing out that Campbell was a "young talented player that was integral to our defense and a core member of our locker room." He wasn't wrong.
Similarly, defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen had high praise for Campbell, noting that there was nothing he could do and was a really smart player.
The Plantation, Florida native struggled early as a rookie but fared much better as the season progressed. By 2022, he had established himself as a mainstay of the Jaguars' secondary and one of the top cornerbacks in the league. Unfortunately, a nagging hamstring injury hampered him throughout most of last year.
Campbell suffered a hamstring injury once again in the season opener and landed on IR not long after. He returned to the lineup against the New England Patriots in Week 7 and has quickly reminded everyone that he's one of the team's top defensive players.
The Jaguars are getting bang for their buck with Tyson Campbell
Things haven't gone the way the Jacksonville Jaguars expected when they reloaded in the offseason. The defensive, in particular, hasn't met expectations outside of the superb performance against the Minnesota Vikings despite bringing Ryan Nielsen aboard in the offseason. The unit currently ranks 27th in points allowed and is last in the league in yards surrendered. Having said that, the team has a promising core to build around.
Whether Nielsen or Doug Pederson remain in place beyond 2024 remains to be seen. However, whoever coaches the defense will have ample talent to work with. Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker give the Jags a bookend pass-rush duo. Foyesade Oluokun continues to be a leader on the defense and Tyson Campbell has settled at a cornerback spot. Not surprisingly, Jacksonville gave extensions to three of them in the offseason.
Next, the front office will need to keep replenishing to defense in 2025. They'll probably need to add a safety and beef up the interior defensive line. Either way, the Jaguars won't have to worry about the one cornerback spot with Tyson Campbell in the fold.