Matt Waldman’s RSP Boiler Room examines the fundamentals of Ohio State wide receiver Parris Campbell, Jr. — a likely projection pick in the 2019 NFL Draft that Waldman believes is worth the investment. 

If we remove the hair-splitting that is draft analysis, all prospects are projections. Still, in this subset of football culture, the “projection pick” is a player whose play is less refined than his draft day value. Parris Campbell, Jr. could be one of those players.

Campbell’s enticing speed and big-play ability with the ball in his hands will create demand from heads of NFL organizations who place more weight on the sizzle factor than their coaches and staff would prefer. Many projection picks don’t pan out because they’re raw athletes who don’t acquire the technical and conceptual skills of their position and the game.

Campbell should be the exception. Although he didn’t run much of the route tree at Ohio State, Campbell demonstrates skills that other projection picks often lack or fail to acquire at the pro level.

Campbell’s hand position at the catch point, his movement against collision points, ball security, and his feel for zone coverage are promising aspects of his game that many raw athletes lack.

This RSP Boiler Room examines these technical and conceptual skills that should serve as a sound baseline for additional development. While understandable that there will be scouts and coaches who would prefer a more advanced route runner, Campbell’s film reveals a fundamentally-sound and intuitive football player who will adapt within a year or two if he handles his development like a professional.

For the most in-depth analysis of offensive skill players available (QB, RB, WR, and TE), get the 2019  Rookie Scouting Portfolio. If you’re a fantasy owner the Post-Draft Add-on comes with the 2012 – 2018 RSPs at no additional charge.

Best, yet, 10 percent of every sale is donated to Darkness to Light to combat sexual abuse. You can purchase past editions of the Rookie Scouting Portfolio for just $9.95 each. You can pre-order the 2019 RSP now (available for download April 1).