Colts Wideout Parris Campbell Listed Among the ‘Year 2 Players Set to Make Big Leaps’

According to NFL.com’s Jim Trotter, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Parris Campbell is one of his second-year players set to make a big leap in 2020:

Trotter: Another player to watch is Colts wide receiver Parris Campbell. Seemingly everything went against the second-round pick last year. A hamstring injury in training camp was followed by midseason sports hernia surgery, which was followed by a fractured hand, which was followed by a broken foot that ended his season. He appeared in just seven games (starting three) and finished the season with 18 catches for 127 yards and a touchdown. His 7.1 yards-per-reception mark was the worst of his career — at any level. But the former Ohio State star should blossom this season, thanks to good health and the arrival of veteran QB Philip Rivers. With a physical line up front and a tough runner in Marlon Mack, the Colts should have ample opportunities to throw the football downfield via play-action passes. And that should mean big opportunities — and numbers — for Campbell.

The former 2019 second round pick of the Colts out of Ohio State was limited by injuries in his rookie season, as he caught just 18 receptions for 127 receiving yards (7.1 ypr. avg.) and a touchdown reception in 7 games (3 starts).

However, at 6’0”, 205 pounds, Campbell has blazing fast speed (4.31 forty time at the 2019 NFL Combine) and is a dynamic playmaker with the football in his hands—with the offensive versatility to align at multiple spots as a ‘gadget’ wideout.

The Colts are expecting big things from him in 2020 too, as he will be utilized primarily in the slot—with the addition of big bodied wideout Michael Pittman Jr. as the team’s new “X” along the outside boundary on the other side of Pro Bowler T.Y. Hilton.

With his elite speed down the seam and over the middle of the field, Campbell should be a natural slot wideout, and it should help bring out his best this upcoming season.

Certainly helping any potential second-year leap is that Campbell will have proven veteran starting quarterback Philip Rivers in the fold, who is willing to take chances deep and throw to all levels of the field—with improved accuracy over his Colts predecessor.

If Campbell can stay healthy, he does appear to very poised for a breakout second-year leap for the Colts—as the speed, talent, and opportunity are all present.