Colts ‘Can’t Afford to Lose’ This Free Agent

One of many philosophies of the Indianapolis Colts’ entrance workplace is to draft and develop their very own gamers. That usually means having added endurance with such prospects and seeing to it that they meet their potential.

The Colts drafted huge receiver Parris Campbell within the second spherical of the 2019 NFL Draft and caught with him by way of three injury-ravaged seasons earlier than he lastly stayed wholesome in 2022 and was a dependable playmaker for the crew in consequence.

Professional Soccer Focus lately produced a listing of gamers that every NFL can’t afford to lose this offseason, and the upcoming free agent Campbell was their submission for Indy.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS: WR PARRIS CAMPBELL

Linebacker Bobby Okereke makes plenty of sense right here, as properly, however the Colts have a ton invested in Shaquille Leonard on the place already. On offense, Michael Pittman Jr. might be a part of the $20 million-plus per 12 months membership this offseason as an early extension candidate, which might make a less expensive pure slot receiving choice a sensible piece to maintain round.

Campbell’s manufacturing in 2022 outpaced his three-year cumulative totals from 2019-21 in practically each statistical class now that he was lastly wholesome, with 9 video games of a minimum of 40 receiving yards on the 12 months. A one-year flier the place Campbell can take yet one more step — an honest guess if the Colts’ offense doesn’t as soon as once more rank useless final in EPA per dropback — is smart for all events.

After lacking 34 video games in his first three seasons, Campbell was capable of keep accessible for every contest in 12 months 4, ending second on the crew in receptions, targets, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns.

In 17 video games (16 begins), Campbell caught 63-of-91 targets for 623 yards (9.9 avg.), and three touchdowns. He additionally carried the ball 5 occasions for 58 yards (11.6 avg.). Every thing was a brand new career-best aside from the yards per reception.

“My number-one aim was simply to be about there and be accessible for all 17 (video games), and I did that,” Campbell stated after the Colts’ season ended. “All of the stuff in between, I used to be blessed to have the ability to make performs, and given the alternatives, I really feel like I made essentially the most of them. So, I am proud of, clearly individually — not as a crew — however individually, proud of what I used to be capable of placed on tape.”

The Colts are on the hunt for a brand new head coach and are anticipated to make use of their first-round decide (at present No. 4 general) on a quarterback. They’re going to want all of the ammo they will get on offense, so retaining Campbell makes all of the sense on the earth.

What may assist in Campbell’s return to the Colts is his price ticket. Spotrac tasks his market worth at $2.5 million on a one-year deal., which appears criminally low for a participant of his expertise, however comprehensible given his harm historical past.

“(I am going to) attempt to not stress out about it,” Campbell stated about his impending free company. “I am an impatient individual.”

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