Rookie Report Card: Week Nine

Dan Meylor

Each week throughout the season, I’ll cover at least two rookies in the Rookie Report Card and try to always include the biggest performers from that particular week. On top of reviewing my expectations for each player coming into the league and how well he’s lived up to those expectations at the NFL level to this point, I’ll grade the player in three categories. Those categories are performance to date, 2019 potential and long term upside.

The series continues this week as we take a closer look at rookies Andy Isabella and Parris Campbell.

Andy Isabella, WR ARI

Week Nine Stats: one reception, 88 receiving yards, one touchdown (one target)

One of the most productive college receivers in the 2019 NFL Draft, Isabella had a bit of a cult following in the dynasty community. Catching 229 passes for 3,519 yards and 30 touchdowns in his final three seasons at Massachusetts, he entered the draft as a productive though smallish (5’-9”, 188 pounds) receiver that was known for short area quickness as much as he was for his long speed.

When he proved his speed at the scouting combine by running a 4.31 second 40-yard dash, his stock began to soar. That blazing speed – along with an arsenal of head fakes and the ability to make sharp cuts at the top of his routes – made him one of the best separators in the draft. Despite his small stature and lack of experience against quality defenders, he appeared to be a big play waiting to happen at the next level.

When he landed in Arizona with quarterback Kyler Murray and the “Air Raid” offense that Kliff Kingsbury brought with him from the college ranks, dynasty owners became enamored with the upside of the speedy Isabella. Despite the Cardinals selecting two more receivers in the draft including Hakeem Butler (4th round) and KeeSean Johnson (6th) and already having the likes of Larry Fitzgerald and Christian Kirk entrenched in the starting lineup, Isabella was a mid-second round pick in many dynasty rookie drafts.

Expectations were high for Isabella to have an early role with a Cardinals offense that was expected to create very useful fantasy assets. That hasn’t materialized to this point. After a knee injury stunted his development in training camp, he made a big play on a 59-yard touchdown catch in the pre-season. Then was passed on the depth chart by the likes of Johnson (36 targets), Damiere Byrd (27), Pharoh Cooper (12) and Trent Sherfield (11) – who went undrafted in 2018.

Isabella’s usage has been nearly nonexistent as he’s played just 62 snaps (10.3%) and has just three targets on the year. It’s clear at this point that he’s well behind Fitzgerald and Kirk on the depth chart, but with playing time on a slight uptick in week nine (22.8%), there’s a chance we could be about to see more of the electrifying speedster. And if the 88-yard touchdown catch he had against the 49ers – which perfectly displayed the playmaking ability we all expected of him – is any indication, we will be seeing more of him.

Although it’s difficult to grade Isabella as anything but an incomplete for his performance to this point in his rookie year, the arrow is definitely pointing up. Because of his speed, the quarterback he’s attached to and Fitzgerald’s age, he’s an excellent trade target for those looking for a developmental wide receiver. And looking at the DLF Trade Finder, the price isn’t all that high. Recently going straight up for Auden Tate, straight up for Latavius Murray and in a deal for Jaylen Samuels, he’s very reasonably priced.

You should make your offers soon though. Another big play or increased opportunities will make Isabella a hot dynasty commodity.

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Parris Campbell, WR IND

Week Nine Stats: Five receptions, 53 yards (five targets), three carries, 27 rushing yards

Personally, I saw Campbell as one of the premiere prospects in the 2019 NFL Draft. His elite speed (4.31 40-time) and incredible athleticism (40 inch vertical, 135 inch broad jump) were obvious to anybody that watched him at Ohio State. And to find that combination in a receiver with plus size (6’-0”, 205 pounds) is so rare that it was difficult not to want him on all of my dynasty rosters.

The naysayers called him a gadget player, pointing to his high usage on bubble screens and end-arounds. But despite his limited experience as a traditional route runner, his explosive change of direction skills and elusiveness – along with a well-documented work ethic – gave many of us the confidence to project his route running to be a strength in the future if given an opportunity to develop in that area.

When Campbell was selected by the Colts in the second round of the NFL Draft, most saw the landing spot as ideal and he settled into the back-half of the first round of dynasty rookie drafts. But when a hamstring injury sidelined him during OTA’s and much of training camp, he slipped into the middle of the second round of late rookie drafts, presenting a value to many of us that drafted in August.

Since that point, Campbell has had a very up and down rookie season. He’s shown flashes of playmaking ability but also made a few rookie mistakes including a pair of fumbles and a dropped pass. His biggest game came in week nine against the Steelers where – without TY Hilton – he played his biggest role of the season and came through for most part, catching all five of his targets for 53 yards and adding 27 rushing yards on three attempts.

The Colts’ coaching staff appeared to be using the rookie as a weapon, creating opportunities for him to handle the ball in the open field. His biggest play came on a crossing route in the second quarter where after catching the ball he blazed down the left sideline, lost his balance and while falling the ground, fumbled the ball out of bounds. The play should have gone for a touchdown but turned into a rookie mistake.

Nonetheless, watching Sunday’s game in Pittsburgh showed at least a small glimpse into what Frank Reich and the rest of the Indianapolis coaching staff have planned for Campbell as they obviously want to get him the ball in space. That being said, the rookie needs to stay on the field for those things to happen.

After the game, we found out that Campbell suffered a fractured hand and will likely miss multiple weeks. Fortunately for dynasty owners that believe in the rookie though, his latest injury (he also suffered an abdominal injury that cost him multiple games earlier this year) may create a buying window. A couple recent trades on the DLF Trade Finder had him going straight up for fellow rookie Alexander Mattison and going in exchange for John Brown and Kenny Stills.

Despite the rocky start to Campbell’s career, the arrow is definitely pointing up for the former Buckeye. Although it’s difficult seeing him as a contributor down the stretch in the 2019 considering his latest injury, his high-end WR2 upside makes him an ideal trade target for those looking for a big upside playmaker in a good offense.

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dan meylor