The New England Patriots have been getting quite a bit of buzz recently after some big splashes in Free Agency. They have filled a lot of needs so far, but they haven’t added anybody at arguably the biggest need, and that is left tackle. Could New England turn to the Draft to try and get one of the most important positions in football? There is one prospect that has continuously been linked to the Patriots and that is LSU offensive tackle, Will Campbell. There are a few questions that linger with Campbell, and what are the answers to those questions? Let’s dive in.
Is Will Campbell a top tier prospect?
Will Campbell is one of the top prospects in the 2025 Draft, and for good reason. He is a multi-year starter in the SEC, and even started as a true freshman. He has consistently thrived against the top competition in the nation, and has proven year after year that he deserves to be in the top five conversation. With his size and athleticism, Campbell is aggressive in his pass sets, and is a blind side protector that can be counted on. If the Patriots can get past his lack of arm length, and trust his film at the SEC level, they likely won’t hesitate to select him at fourth overall.
Are Will Campbell’s short arms a cause for concern?
When it comes to NFL left tackles, there is a standard for arm length. The threshold used to be thirty-four inch arms, and then Chargers tackle, Rashawn Slater came in with thirty-three inch arms and thrived at the pro level. Which created a new standard of thirty-three inch arms for NFL left tackles. Campbell measured in at the NFL Scouting Combine at thirty-two and five-eighth inch arms. Well below the thirty-three inch threshold. However, yesterday at LSU’s Pro Day, Campbell had his arms measured again, and he came in at thirty-three inches, according to Field Yates. Many people just thought it was LSU pumping up Campbell’s numbers to help his draft stock. Field Yates then addressed this as well, saying an NFL Scout conducted the measurements, and not an LSU staff member. This could mean that Campbell has hit the threshold and teams will be comfortable with him as a tackle, instead of moving him inside to guard.
Regardless of his arm measurement, Campbell is a freak athlete, and his tape shows that he could certainly play left tackle at the next level. The Patriots are obviously intrigued by Campbell, since they had him in for a top thirty visit. This could mean that Mike Vrabel and company do not care about his arm length as much as the media does.
Could Will Campbell be the perfect fit for a Mike Vrabel led team?
Mike Vrabel has made it clear he’s looking for tough football players, that will help build a culture for the Patriots. Will Campbell is exactly what he has been describing. He’s a fierce competitor that goes to war between the lines. A perfect type of player to lead the offensive line. Left tackle is arguably one of the most important positions on the team, so having a vocal leader who is willing to battle in the trenches, is exactly what Mike Vrabel could be looking for.
Where could Will Campbell be on the Patriots Draft Board?
There have been multiple reports from media personalities around the NFL world, that the Patriots love Colorado’s Travis Hunter. But, at the fourth overall pick, New England doesn’t really control the Draft. If Hunter doesn’t make it to pick four, and Penn State’s Abdul Carter is taken in the top three, then Campbell may be the lock for New England. The Patriots Draft Board may have Campbell as their third target after Hunter and Carter, and if this is the case, Drake Maye will have his blind side protector for the foreseeable future.
