CLEVELAND, Ohio — A mid-week trade shook up the Browns defensive back room.
They traded cornerback Greg Newsome II, their former No. 26 pick from the 2021 draft, along with a 2026 sixth-rounder to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
In exchange, they receive the No. 33 pick of that same draft, cornerback Tyson Campbell, along with a 2026 seventh-rounder.
To Campbell’s benefit, he joins a Browns defense that’s second in yards allowed (247.8), and ties for fourth in passing yards allowed (172.2).
With Martin Emerson Jr. out for the year due to his Achilles injury, Newsome took up as outside corner. With both gone, that’s where Campbell will be.
So what does the 25-year-old Campbell bring to Cleveland?
We’ll evaluate this from the lens of analytics.
Efficient tackler
Throughout the season, Campbell has progressed his efficiency in tackling.
It’s good to have someone willing to make the play, but even better when you know they won’t let the opportunity slip.
Through five games so far this season, Campbell ranks 13th in tackle grading (75.4 ) and 17th in missed tackle rate (5.9%), per PFF.
His missed tackle rate is an improvement from his 9.4% last season, which tied him for 32nd.
So far this season, Cleveland’s defense ranks third in tackle grading (73.1), which is a big jump from 2024 when it tied for last (28.5), per PFF.
They also currently rank 12th in fewest missed tackles (29), an improvement from their 17th ranking in 2024 (101), per Pro Football Reference.
YAC in Man
More times than not, it’s tight man coverage in Jim Schwartz’s defense.
Plays will be made, mistakes will happen. Though, limiting the amount of yards gained after allowing a catch is important.
When in man coverage so far this season, Campbell has allowed five receptions for a total of 19 yards after the catch, or YAC, per PFF.
When comparing that to Cleveland’s cornerbacks, Campbell has the fewest YAC allowed. Denzel Ward (37 YAC) and Myles Harden (21 YAC) have given up more.
Can’t let the pass catcher get too far, and that would help Campbell further gel in this defense.
Questionable durability
Yes, Campbell has played in every week of the NFL so far, and is expected to play Sunday in Pittsburgh.
But that doesn’t change the fact he hasn’t played a full season since 2022.
He was kept to 11 games in 2023 due to hamstring and quadriceps injuries.
In 2024, Campbell suffered a hamstring injury in Week 1, and was sidelined for the next five games, ultimately only playing 12 games that year.
The issue of durability has been a big one for Cleveland in recent years, so Campbell staying healthy and showing up is half the battle.
Conclusion
Schwartz had some good to say about Campbell’s ability during the week.
“(Campbell’s) a physical player, he’s a good tackler... he’s probably a little bit more of a scheme fit for us,” Schwartz said. “He’s a good press cover guy, challenges guys on the outside part of the field.”
While Campbell adjusts to playing in the orange and brown and meeting the bar of excellence in this defense, the best way for him to make his presence would naturally be in making plays versus Pittsburgh.
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