Cardinals lock up DL Campbell: Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell agreed to a five-contract extension Thursday. The 6-foot-8, 300-pound lineman had 51 solo tackles and 73 overall tackles last season. He also had eight sacks, two forced fumbles, 11 passes defensed, one fumble recovery, his first interception, and blocked three field goals. The Cardinals had placed the "non-exclusive" franchise tag on the 25-year-old Campbell on March 2. Drafted in the second round in 2008 out of the University of Miami, he was the Cardinals' 2011 NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year for his community work. (Updated 05/11/2012)
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 5/27/12).
Fantasy Analysis
Campbell's excellent numbers were enough to help him finish as a Top-5 Fantasy DL, which is exceptional given that he plays with his hand on the ground in a 3-4 defense. We think he'll have a chance to put up solid numbers again in 2012, so consider him with a mid-round pick in IDP drafts. (Updated 05/11/2012).
Calais Campbell continues to improve each year, which is why the team signed him to a long-term deal in mid-May. Campbell has 21 sacks in the past three years, and he had eight sacks, one interception and 72 total tackles in 2011. Campbell, who finished last season as a Top-5 DL, should be considered a No. 1 defensive lineman in IDP leagues worth a mid-round pick. (Updated 5/11/12)
