The New York Giants struggled with their wide receivers in 2023, including veteran Parris Campbell, who is now considered a suitable addition to the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2024 NFL free agency. This move is seen as an effort to fill the void left by veteran slot receiver Tyler Boyd.
Despite a less-than-stellar performance with the Giants, Campbell is regarded by The Pro Football Network’s Jay Morrison as one of the best fits for the Bengals. Despite a challenging season, Campbell’s statistics reveal strengths, having played a significant portion of his snaps in the slot and showcasing minimal drops since entering the league in 2019.
The Bengals, who drafted Charlie Jones to replace Tyler Boyd, are facing challenges as Jones missed six games due to thumb surgery and limited offensive snaps. Campbell’s market value, projected at $3.5 million on a one-year deal by Spotrac.com, aligns well with the Bengals’ interest in an affordable veteran for the slot.
On the Giants’ end, Campbell’s performance did not meet expectations, and the emergence of Wan’Dale Robinson as a promising slot receiver made Campbell expendable. Despite the Giants signing Campbell to a one-year, $3 million contract, his versatility was not effectively utilized by head coach Brian Daboll, leading to Campbell being inactive for several late-season games.
Campbell’s lack of production, reflected in only three starts and 27 targets, contributed to the coaching staff’s diminished confidence in him. The Giants’ quarterbacks had a low rating and threw two interceptions when targeting Campbell, as per Pro Football Reference.
Returning to the AFC, where he previously played with the Indianapolis Colts, could be a positive move for Campbell. However, in Cincinnati, he faces the challenge of following in the footsteps of Tyler Boyd, who had a significant impact with 534 receptions for the Bengals.
Campbell’s potential departure allows the Giants to focus on developing Wan’Dale Robinson, who quickly proved his worth in just eight starts. Robinson demonstrated impressive run-after-catch skills and gained significant yardage after receptions.
The Giants’ coaching staff, led by Brian Daboll and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka, must prioritize Robinson’s increased involvement in the passing game. Elevating Robinson to a more prominent role could address the Giants’ need for a top receiver and support quarterback Daniel Jones under pressure.
While Campbell couldn’t secure the No. 1 receiver role, a move to Cincinnati provides him with an opportunity to revive his career and serve as a replacement for the departing Tyler Boyd.
