Packers film room: What new LB De’Vondre Campbell brings to defense

The Green Bay Packers are getting an experienced linebacker in De’Vondre Campbell. Over five NFL seasons, Campbell has started 70 out of 75 games in which he has appeared, totaling 462 tackles, 7.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, and three interceptions. Among an inexperienced group of linebackers, Campbell has a decent shot to play a significant role within the 2021 Packers defense.

Campbell’s contract is a one-year deal worth $2 million, including a $1 million signing bonus. He is also eligible for up $500,000 in playing-time incentives. Given the details of Campbell’s contract, it’s a safe assumption that he will make the final 53-man roster.

Campbell was a fourth-draft pick by the Atlanta Falcons in 2016. He’s got good size (6-4, 232 lbs), speed (4.58 40-yard dash), and length (34-inch arms). Campbell will be the tallest linebacker on Green Bay’s roster and is also faster than both Krys Barnes and Kamal Martin. It won’t be hard for Campbell to distinguish himself next to the Packers’ younger linebackers.

For this film review, we are taking a look at Campbell’s 2020 film. Hopefully, this exercise will help gain a better understanding of the type of player Green Bay is getting and what he can bring to the defense.

Last year, Campbell started all 16 games for the Arizona Cardinals and played 79 percent of the defensive snaps. To kick things off, we are looking at Campbell’s first game as a member of the Cardinals.

Week 1 vs San Francisco 49ers

Campbell is easily identified thanks to his hair, but he can also be identified as no. 59. This was one of the first plays of the game, and it wasn’t a good look for Campbell. San Francisco’s offense is running a simple run call from shotgun formation. The play is designed to go to the right, and Campbell is the weakside linebacker. He takes a poor angle to the ball, which allows the running back to cut back for a sizable gain. Campbell is too aggressive here as he fails to track the inside hip effectively and ends up paying for it. He is probably overly eager because he believes he has a good shot at tackling the ball carrier. However, if he stays a little more patient and takes a flatter angle, he probably makes the tackle.

One of Campbell’s best traits is his ability to play man coverage. He isn’t perfect at it, but he is above average. Here, he takes away the wheel route from a running back who is much faster. It’s solid coverage from Campbell and showcases his athleticism.

Campbell is all over this route by George Kittle. Kittle is one of the best tight ends in the NFL, but Campbell does a great job covering him on this play. When he stays patient with his feet, good things happen.

Campbell’s footwork and mental processing are two things the coaches are going to want to clean up. Too often, he is guilty of falling for misdirection. Meanwhile, poor footwork negatively impacts his angles to the ball. In this case, bad mentals and footwork completely take him out of the play. Campbell is too focused on Kittle, who is in motion. Meanwhile, a safety is rolling into the box, which should indicate to Campbell that he needs to stand his ground and worry less about the man in motion. He doesn’t, and it ends up opening a decent hole.

Week 7 vs Seattle Seahawks

Here is another example of Campbell coming up short from a processing perspective. Seattle is in a run-heavy formation, and the tight ends are a quick tell that this is a run play. Notice how slow Campbell is to pick up on this play as it develops. Ideally, he would be peaking for the ball in the backfield while feeling the movement of the tight ends to see if it is play-action. In the end, he just looks lost.

If Campbell learns to shuffle his feet before attacking, he will be better off. In many cases, he is too quick to get downhill, and his angles suffer as a result. This was not a bad play by any means, but it is yet another example of how unpolished Campbell can look in the run game.

Just so everyone understands the situation, this is a play from under two minutes left in the first half. The last thing Arizona wants to do is allow a big gain so the Seahawks can get into scoring position. There must have been some miscommunication here because Campbell can easily pass the drag off to Jordan Hicks. However, because he tries to jump the route, it allows Russell Wilson to scramble untouched for a gain of over 20 yards. Everything about this play points toward poor situational awareness by Campbell.

Campbell is not going to consistently stack and shed blocks. His play strength appears to be lacking, and it seems as though he would rather rely on his speed. In this play, tight end Will Dissly blocks Campbell with relative ease. If Campbell looks like this against a tight end, imagine how he looks against an offensive lineman getting to the second level.

Week 17 vs Los Angeles Rams

Like most speedy linebackers, if you keep him clean, he will be more effective. The same goes for Campbell, who would rather beat you with speed than strength. He does a nice job sniffing this play out. Campbell uses good play speed to attack the right spot and funnel it back inside. Unfortunately, no one is there for cleanup duty.

Earlier, we highlighted Campbell’s man coverage ability, but as previously stated, he isn’t perfect. Campbell can get caught being overly aggressive way too often. He starts out in good position against tight end Gerald Everett, but he should have stayed patient. It looks like he is trying to get over the top of Everett before the route has developed. As a result, Campbell isn’t ready for the inside stem and gets beat.

Campbell’s processing got better late in the season. He doesn’t fall for the eye candy of the man in motion and instead remains solid to make the play. This is good diagnosing and play speed by Campbell to get to the point of attack for a minimal gain.

One of the better reps you will find in this review. While Campbell has his eyes in the backfield, he swipes the lineman’s hands before he can engage. He then chases down the ball carrier for the finish.

Another nice example of Campbell not panicking in coverage even when his back is turned. Expect the Packers to utilize him in man coverage against tight ends and running backs in the future.

Overall outlook

Campbell is a solid player who will contribute to Green Bay’s defense. He probably isn’t an every-down linebacker, as he was much more effective when he played fewer snaps towards the end of the year. Pro Football Focus gave Campbell his highest grade of the season against the Rams in Week 17 after he played 58 percent of the total defensive snaps.

Campbell, alongside Barnes and Martin, creates an intriguing position to watch. They all bring something different to the table and could end up being a solid group as a whole. Campbell’s best fit might be as a WILL linebacker, where he can utilize his speed to track down ball carriers from the weakside. He can also occasionally drop into coverage and man-up against certain players.

The film shows that Campbell is a versatile linebacker who can be an average starter. Due to the state of the Packers’ inside linebackers, he was a solid veteran signing for June and will bring experience and athleticism to the position.