The 2022 NFL free agency period is off and running at a furious pace. As players continue to sign during free agency, predictions for DE Calais Campbell continue to be discussed. Which teams in need of additional pass-rushing help could benefit from acquiring Campbell in free agency?
Predictions for Calais Campbell in 2022 NFL free agency
Having spent the last two seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, Campbell is once again on the open market. Even at 35 years old, the former Walter Payton Man of the Year was an effective pass rusher for the Ravens last year, recording 49 tackles, 12 QB hits, 5 tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks, and 31 total pressures.
While retirement could always be in the cards for Campbell, all reports and rumors suggest he is ready for Year 16 in the NFL. The question is, with who? It’s unlikely Campbell will command a significant contract, but his veteran presence could be a substantial addition to a defensive room.
Baltimore Ravens
Campbell has made it clear how badly he wants to win a Super Bowl before he retires and how much he values the culture of the Ravens’ organization.
“I love the Ravens. I feel very comfortable there,” Campbell said recently, per Josina Anderson of USA Today. “At the same time, I’m going to explore what’s out there. We are going through the normal free agency process..”
Ravens GM Eric DeCosta has stated he wants Campbell back with the organization in 2022.
“I have a lot of admiration for Calais as a person and as a player and as a leader. I’m hopeful that we can bring him back. We’d love to bring him back. He’s a guy that plays winning football and he does as much for the team and the organization in the building as he does on the field. I have a lot of respect for him.”
The Ravens reached a deal to reunite with pass rusher Za’Darius Smith, but that pact fell through. Baltimore hopes players like Derek Wolfe, Tyus Bowser, and Odafe Oweh are able to maintain the pressure which has made the Ravens defense one of the more feared units for quite some time. But Campbell would represent a significant addition as a rotational piece on the edge.
Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders went from being slow to going all-in during free agency, signing Chandler Jones and acquiring Davante Adams. Even before that happened, former Raven and now-former Raider Yannick Ngakoue was publicly recruiting Campbell to join the “dark side” in Las Vegas. Ngakoue has since been traded to the Colts, but the Raiders still make sense as a landing spot for Jones.
Campbell would join Jones, Maxx Crosby, and Bilal Nichols, creating one of the deeper position groups in the NFL. The arms race is not slowing down in the AFC West, and predictions tying these two sides together are beginning to heat up.
Dallas Cowboys
Cowboys fans have been through the wringer this offseason. They’ve watched numerous stars leave the team, whether via trade (Amari Cooper) or in free agency (La’el Collins and Randy Gregory). For a team in win-now mode, they need to start making some positive additions to bolster their chances in the NFC.
While he doesn’t offer the same level of production as Gregory at this point in his career, Campbell could be a great replacement for Dan Quinn to scheme off the edge. Campbell started 14 games last season and should be able to put together at least one more solid campaign before riding into the sunset. It’s not always the flashy moves that win games and titles. It’s the transactions that make you a more well-rounded team. Signing Campbell in free agency would be doing just that for Dallas.