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Calais Campbell

Calais Campbell Player Profile

Summary

Calais Campbell was drafted in the 2nd round (50th overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals. Pro Football Reference He played college football at Miami (FL). Over his long and productive NFL career, Campbell has recorded 110.5 sacks, 917+ tackles, and 266 quarterback hits, per the Cardinals’ 2025 media guide. NFL He's a 6× Pro Bowler, a First‑Team All-Pro in 2017, and has received significant honors off the field (e.g., 2019 Walter Payton Man of the Year). Pro Football Reference Known for his rare combination of size (6'8", ~315 lb), athleticism, leadership, and longevity, Campbell is widely respected as a cornerstone veteran presence and a locker-room leader. CBS Sports

Strengths

  • Size & Length: At ~6'8", Campbell’s reach gives him a huge advantage vs blockers, helping him disrupt run and pass. Pro Football Reference

  • Run-Defense Prowess: According to PFF, he graded 1st among defensive interior players in run defense in 2024. PFF

  • Pass-Rush Upside: Over his career, he has generated a high number of sacks and QB hits; he crossed 100 sacks in his long career. atlantafalcons.com

  • Durability & Longevity: He’s played 260+ games in the NFL, including starting in most of them. NFL

  • High Motor / Competitiveness: Even late in his career, Campbell continues to produce, showing he plays with effort on nearly every snap. NFL.com

  • Leadership & Character: Honored with the Walter Payton Man of the Year for his off-field contributions. Pro Football Reference

  • Recognition & Awards: Beyond Pro Bowls, he was named to the NFL All-Decade Team for the 2010s. Pro Football Reference

Weaknesses

  • Age / Decline Risk: Entering his late 30s, there is risk of decline — recent reports suggest 2025 may be his final season. NFL.com

  • Lateral Agility Limitations: Given his massive frame, his change-of-direction and agility may not match that of smaller, more explosive linemen.

  • Snap Efficiency: As a veteran playing heavy or rotational snaps, maintaining peak performance on every snap can be challenging at his age.

  • Pass-Rush Consistency: While still dangerous, his pass-rush win rate has slowed compared to his peak years, as expected for a veteran.

  • Injury / Wear: A long career naturally brings wear; future injury risk may be elevated given his tenure and usage.

Fit & Outlook

  • Fit:
    Calais Campbell is best utilized in a defense that values versatile, powerful interior linemen. He can play as a 3‑tech or defensive end in heavier fronts, allowing defenses to run gap‑attack schemes or two-gap concepts. His length and run-stopping prowess make him ideal in systems that want to shut down the run and use him in stunts or sub‑package pass-rush roles. Given his experience, he also fits as a mentor and rotational piece in a younger front.

  • Outlook:
    Looking ahead, Campbell’s outlook is as a veteran anchor and rotational force. While he may not play every down as he ages, he still offers significant value: his run defense is elite, his leadership is unquestioned, and he can contribute in high-leverage situations. If 2025 is his final season (as he himself suggested), he would go out as a respected leader who aged gracefully, maintained high-level production, and likely added value as a teacher to younger defensive linemen. There’s also strong Hall of Fame case potential, given his sack total, longevity, impact, and character.