Second-year linebacker De’Vondre Campbell is set to receive an expanded role in the Falcons’ defense, according to coach Dan Quinn.
“We are in terms of the versatility that he’s playing with, all the experience he has playing our base (weakside), he’s already doing that in the nickel package,” Quinn said. “He’ll certainly get as many turns that way as well.”
Campbell ranks third on the team in tackles with 34. He also has two sacks, four passes defensed, two tackles for losses and a forced fumble.
“He’s a guy, coming into the season, that was on a mission not only from a pass-rush standpoint, improving his coverage skills,” Quinn said. “We’ll lean on that versatility.”
Campbell started at weakside linebacker as a rookie, but a high ankle sprain slowed his development.
“He was battling injuries last year, and we are very pleased with were he’s coming and where he’s going,” defensive coordinator Marquand Manuel said. “He’s doing his job very well.”
The Falcons can drop Campbell in coverage from his strongside spot or they can send him off the edge. That explains his two sacks and four passes defensed.
“He put the time in outside of the building working on his pass rush moves,” Manuel said. “When you put the time in, you’re going to get better. That’s what you’re seeing from him in Year 2. (He) can see that he’s not only play at this level, but he has a skill-set he can utilize on a weekly basis.”
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