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Atlanta Falcons 2016 scouting report: LB De’Vondre Campbell

By Eric Robinson

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The 2015 NFL Draft provided a key piece to the future plans for the Atlanta Falcons as wide receiver Justin Hardy was brought aboard to upgrade the Falcons receiving corps. This year’s edition provided another potential asset to Falcons and their objectives.

Head coach Dan Quinn wants to get “fast and physical”. At 115th overall, Quinn and GM Thomas Dimitroff handpicked University of Minnesota linebacker De’Vondre Campbell. The ultimate vision is to add talent, speed, and tenacity to a team that has been truly missing it over the past several years. What can Campbell provide? Here is his scouting report.

LB De’Vondre Campbell, Minnesota 

Height: 6’4 

Weight: 232 lbs 

Strengths:

  • Freakish, athletic frame; great size with room to add another 10-15 lbs
  • Combine results: 4.5 seconds in the 40, 7.07 seconds in the three-cone drill, 33 5/8th arm length, 34 inch vertical
  • Natural athleticism
  • Solid ability in pass coverage; reliable change of direction skills, able to stay with running backs/tight ends
  • Arm length is a plus, able to keep blockers away from his chest
  • Versatile linebacker; able to play all three linebacker spots
  • Reliable piece in blitz packages
  • 92 total tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, one INT in 2015
  • Physical at the point of attack
  • Able to move in space
  • No character issues

Weaknesses:

  • Instincts are lacking
  • Situational awareness needs improvement
  • Play diagnosis is tad bit late than it should
  • Looks lost at times in zone coverage
  • Must learn to take better angles at times

Bottom line: Campbell is a nice piece of clay that Quinn and linebackers coach Jeff Ulbrich will patiently mold into a prospect with freakish size/frame and unique skills. The report courtesy of Vaughn McClure of ESPN is that the team has plans to plug Campbell at middle linebacker when its all said and done.

Having a 6-foot-4 linebacker who fills out at 240+ will give the Falcons defense an upgrade at the linebacker position. The gap between Campbell and Worriow in terms of athleticism is heavily in favor of the former Minnesota linebacker.

Next: Grading all six Falcons 2016 draft picks

Be patient with Campbell. His flaws are definitely teachable and if Campbell pans out, Campbell will add an excellent element to an improving defense.