The Tennessee Titans made their final pick of the 2022 NFL draft when they selected Ole Miss linebacker Chance Campbell in the sixth round at No. 219 overall.
Campbell, who transferred from Maryland, is coming off a very productive season at Ole Miss. The 22-year-old led the Rebels with 109 tackles, while also adding 12.5 tackles for loss, six sacks, and two passes defended.
In training camp, Campbell will look to latch on with the Titans as their No. 4 linebacker behind Zach Cunningham, David Long, and Monty Rice.
In order to get more information on Campbell, here’s a look at what experts were saying about him prior to the draft.
Positional rank: 31
SUMMARY: Chance Campbell was an all-conference football and lacrosse player at Calver Hall in Baltimore. A three-star recruit, he stayed in his home state and signed with Maryland. He became a full-time starter as junior and averaged over 10 tackles per game to earn All-Big Ten honors. He graduated and entered the transfer portal, committing to Ole Miss. He arrived in Oxford in June and won the starting “Mike” linebacker job, finishing top-five in the SEC In total tackles in 2021. Campbell has a prototypical body type for the position except for his shorter arms, which leave him connected to blocks when he is sucked up in the run game. He trusts his vision and keeps his eyes on the prize, but he can be out-athleted in space, leading to missed tackles vs. the run and completions allowed in coverage. Overall, Campbell is an instinctive ball hunter who plays with pace and physicality, but that might not be enough to hide his deficiencies vs. NFL-level players.
GRADE: Priority Free Agent
Chance Campbell is a sufficient-level athlete with flashes of good movement skills and agility. In the run game, he is aggressive and physical in the box. He plays with good football IQ and instincts, which place him always around the football. He is athletic enough to get in gaps and affect run plays behind the line of scrimmage. In the passing game, he has limited upside. He can get into zone drops but man coverage against shifty running backs will likely not be his strength. In the NFL, he is a developmental player who can roster for a team by year two based on his contributions on special teams.
Ideal Role: ILB
Scheme Fit: 4-3 defense but could suffice in a 3-4 as well
Positives: Maryland transfer coming off a terrific senior campaign. Quick to read and diagnose, remains disciplined with assignments, and breaks down well. Fires upfield, gives effort defending the run, and quickly locates the ball handler. Stacks well against the run. Shows the ability to get outside the box and chase the action. Takes proper angles to plays, wraps up tackling, and brings opponents down at the point of attack. Ran much faster than expected at the Combine and turned in some terrific testing numbers.
Negatives: Does not show speed to the flanks despite his Combine testing. Lacks quick change-of-direction skills in coverage.
Analysis: Campbell was an efficient linebacker the past two seasons, though he presented himself primarily as a two-down run defender. He displayed a lot of unexpected athleticism at the Combine. If he’s able to translate that onto the field, Campbell has the tools necessary to be a three-down defender.
Overview
Campbell is big, strong and physical but his lack of athleticism and functional speed will tether him to the box. He’s able to bang between the tackles and does a nice job of locating the football when playing the run. Campbell sees runners separate from his pursuit when plays flow wide, and he’s a liability in coverage. Special teams experience and his overall physicality may help him some, but getting to plays and finishing them will always be a challenge.
Strengths
Explosive production in his single season at Ole Miss.
Thick body type with proportional frame.
Eyes play past the line and into the backfield.
Reads and mirrors runners cuts between the tackles.
Strength to play through angle blocks.
Stays square in attacking the line of scrimmage.
Searches for opportunities to rip the ball free from runners.
Has proven himself as a special-teamer in the past.
Weaknesses
Marginal athlete in space.
Pursuit range is going to be a problem.
Too bundled to make reactive plays in tight quarters.
Below average change-of-direction quickness.
Tackle attempts slide from his grasp too often.
Grass pounder in coverage.
Unable to cover and close to make plays on the throw.