Five things to know about new Patriots offensive tackle Will Campbell
Will Campbell you are a PATRIOT 😤
— New England Patriots (@Patriots)
The 6-foot-6-inch, 319-pound Campbell is an imposing figure at left tackle who compiled an impressive resume over his collegiate career with the Tigers.
But there are still a fair share of questions about Campbell and his validity as an elite, franchise fixture at the next level.
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Here are five things to know about the Patriots' new stalwart on the offensive line:
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Campbell was the top-rated offensive tackle in this NFL Draft class.
Campbell's resume with the Tigers speaks for itself — and maps out why the 21-year-old held court as the top tackle prospect in this draft class.
A three-year starter at LSU who won the team's left-tackle spot as a true freshman, the Monroe, La., native opened his collegiate career winning Freshman All-American, Second-Team All-SEC, and Freshman All-SEC honors in 2022.
In 2023, the sophomore was named a team captain while also earning First Team All-SEC honors.
He submitted his best season as a junior in 2024, as the second-year captain was named a consensus All-American, earned First-Team All-SEC honors, and took home the SEC's Jacobs Blocking Trophy.
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In total, Campbell allowed only five sacks in 2,553 snaps during his 38 games with the Tigers.
As noted by Patriots.com's
Over those 229 sets — which remove plays like quick throws, screens, and play-action/RPOs that limit the impact of tackles — Campbell allowed zero sacks and just 12 total pressures.
26 seconds of LSU left tackle Will Campbell stonewalling future top-100 picks on the South Carolina defensive line. What an absolute stud.
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar)
Even though some scouting reports have expressed concerns about Campbell's potential switch to guard in the NFL ranks, Campbell's athleticism, fundamentals, and competitiveness have drawn high grades from several talent evaluators.
'One GM told me he thinks there are similarities in Campbell to Los Angeles Chargers left tackle Rashawn Slater, who was projected by many to be a guard, but proved athletic and technically sound enough to stay at his college position,'
Lackluster arm measurements have raised concerns.
As elite as Campbell's tape and production were at the college level, there are some red flags in his profile when it comes to his capabilities of anchoring an offensive line for the next 10-plus seasons.
And a lot of that talk revolves around his arm length and overall wingspan.
'Apparently to everybody I have T-Rex arms,'
The discourse surrounding Campbell's arm length have dominated discussions about him and his standing as a top-five pick in this draft class.
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During the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Campbell's arm length measured 32 5/8 inches and his wingspan was recorded at 77 3/8 inches.
Those readings fell below the standard NFL benchmarks of 33 inches and 80 inches for most NFL tackles — further festering doubt that Campbell will be able to hold up against lengthy defensive ends and other potent pass rushers at the next level.
'It's not exhausting, I've heard it since I was 14 years old,' Campbell acknowledged. 'The school I just went to [LSU], they said the same thing. I didn't let it become a problem then, and I'm not going to now.'
Even if Campbell's technique and skillset speaks for itself, he would be considered a bit of an outlier at his size if he dominates at the NFL level.
If Campbell stays at left tackle with New England, his 77 3/8-inch wingspan would be the shortest recorded for an OT at the combine since at least 1999,
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Even with those concerning measurables, Mike Vrabel acknowledged at the NFL league meetings in March that the Patriots viewed Campbell as a tackle moving forward.
'I think you have to,'
Campbell fills an immediate need on New England's offensive line.
Even with those potential red flags with Campbell's arm length, it shouldn't come as much of a surprise that New England is rolling the dice by scooping him up at No. 4 overall.
As unflashy as an offensive tackle might be — especially with a top-five pick — it stood as the most pressing need for New England moving forward, especially when it comes to protecting Drake Maye in 2025 and beyond.
New England's offensive line was outright disastrous in 2024, allowing 52 total sacks. Per
The Patriots currently hold the 1st pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. For those wondering what their priorities should be, I submit exhibit A
— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks)
A lot of that misfortune had to do with New England's revolving door at the tackle position. The Patriots' most utilized tackles last season in Vederian Lowe and Demontrey Jacobs ranked
If
Campbell thrives at the NFL level in New England, both he and veteran pick-up Morgan Moses would replace both Lowe and Jacobs — adding some much-needed stability to a porous area of New England's roster.
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Campbell hails from the same hometown as another standout tackle.
Campbell is far from the only standout tackle to hail from the North Louisiana city of Monroe — as former Bengals and Rams All-Pro Andrew Whitworth is also a product of the same town.
It comes as little surprise that Campbell said that he models his game after the fellow Monroe native.
'Any O-lineman out of the 318, that's the guy that you look up to,' Campbell
It didn't take very long for Campbell to chart out a similar path as Whitworth and Robinson, he started playing varsity football as a freshman at Neville High School. During his four-year stint at Neville, he helped the Tigers win four straight district titles.
Campbell developed a reputation as a fiery competitor well before he arrived at Baton Rogue.
During a Class 4A playoff game in 2021, Campbell was ruled out in the first half of that matchup due to a pulled groin. But with Neville trailing, 8-6, at the half, Campbell suited up and played the second half —
He used to play football against high-schoolers … at 5 years old.
Campbell's gutsy performance in the high-school ranks didn't necessarily come as much of a surprise. As he noted in a SiriusXM NFL Radio interview earlier this week, Campbell said that his father — Brian — had him playing against high-school kids … while he was in kindergarten.
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'I like the violence,'
'The brotherhood and the camaraderie that comes within that position group is something that I love, too. The bonds that you form in that room is special. Those are probably two of my favorite things. And I love to win.'
Conor Ryan can be reached at
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