NFL Scouting Combine: My Favorite Wide Receiver

Before the comment section floods with insults and commentary about how there’s no way Parris Campbell out-performed D.K. Metcalf, I’d like to remind everyone this column is not a top-performer narrative. It’s a ‘favorite’ narrative. And the two are different.

Metcalf stole the show in Indianapolis. And for good reason. His media session was solid, his workout was great and the tearful shot of him speaking to his family was a golden example of just how much humanity clings to this ‘game’.

I couldn’t be happier for the young man. But, if you’ve been paying attention, he was supposed to do well. Great even. It’s only a surprise if you thought all of the talk surrounding the Ole Miss prospect was overblown. If that was you, then you were surprised.

Parris Campbell wasn’t supposed to do as well as he did though. He’s supposed to be fast, sure. But hands, what hands? Routes, what routes? Campbell had a lot of knocks against him coming out of Ohio State and the only attribute he was given credit for was his speed.

Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Now, the conversation is flipped. This is an all-around receiver. Even better, he’s an all-around football player.

Is Campbell going to enter day one conversation? Well, we’ll have to wait and see. But his stock should be soaring after this performance. If his formal interviews went well, then he definitely going to be gone sooner rather than later when the NFL Draft kicks off in April.

And for those reasons, his combine showing was my favorite one this year. Not because he confirmed the hype, because he silenced his critics.