The Patriots began a massive roster rebuild, and one area they addressed early was the offensive line. New boss, Mike Vrabel, went into free agency and signed three veterans: right tackle Morgan Moses, center Garrett Bradbury, and guard Wes Schweitzer.
Schweitzer has since retired, a not wholly unexpected development, given his injury history and his status as the least likely of the trio to remain. It may be prudent for Vrabel to dive back into the free agent market for another veteran. We'll see if he goes in that direction.
Meanwhile, since he failed to land a left tackle in free agency, his options were limited. Yet, he moved quickly and with style with his first pick ever for the Patriots, the fourth-overall pick to fill that hole. He selected LSU's dominant left tackle Will Campbell, and he's been ticketed to start on the left from the outset. The Patriots' offensive line will be dramatically improved.
A top analyst still has doubts about Will Campbell being an NFL tackle
Pro Football Focus is among the top analysts in the business, including in the draft. While no one is infallible, they're as good as it gets in balancing metrics and watching film in making their assessments. In the case of Will Campbell, however, they're stuck in neutral.
Before the draft, PFF touted Campbell as the best tackle and the sixth-best player overall in the draft.
"Campbell is an offensive lineman's offensive lineman. He approaches the position with excellent respect for what it takes to be great in the trenches: fundamentals, IQ and competitive toughness. His length and flexibility limitations might push him inside in the NFL, but this is a starting-caliber player at all five spots on the line."
They were clear that he could start at any position on an NFL offensive line. Yet, PFF continues to sow seeds of doubt around Campbell as a tackle.
"I am a believer in Will Campbell at offensive tackle, but a contingency plan should be in place if he does not pan out at the position, following months of debate about whether he belongs on the interior due to his arm length.
With Drake Maye on a rookie contract, the Patriots need to waste as little time as possible building the team around him, especially on the offensive line. They might need to be prepared to address tackle early again if Campbell looks like he’s best at guard in the NFL."
PFF continues to buy into the combine-driven drivel about Campbell's lack of 3/8" in arm length, making him an unlikely NFL tackle. This silliness will only cease when Campbell suits up against NFL competition in joint summer practices and when he takes the field in September as the Patriots' starting left tackle. Campbell's fitness as a left tackle will then be clear to all observers.
Will Campbell will prove his doubters wrong
If the big young tackle, who starred at left tackle at LSU in the SEC for three years, had any need for motivation, this should provide it. Analysts, and well-grounded ones, continue to question his fit at tackle, keeping the option at guard open. While there are no guarantees, the bet here is on left tackle, Will Campbell.
Campbell proved himself in the best conference in the nation, the SEC, for three years. He was a consensus All-American, and he also won the SEC's top lineman award, the Jacobs Blocking Trophy, last season. His arm length and shoulder width (another red herring thrown into the pool) notwithstanding, the 6'6", 320-pound Campbell has great size for the position.
In addition, one might even suggest that his perhaps less-than-optimal arm length has forced him to improvise. He developed hand strength and the footwork necessary to mirror and slide with the SEC's best to protect his quarterback.
Campbell played in 37 games at LSU and allowed five sacks total. Three came in his true freshman year, and two last season. That's an average of 1.6 per season in the ultracompetitive SEC. In 2023, he didn't allow one.
Campbell is doing all the right things for a rookie. He's taking nothing for granted and seeking advice from terrific sources, like veteran Morgan Moses, who will play right tackle. He's already impressed before the pads even go on, and the expectation here is he will continue to do so in camp and beyond.
Will Campbell will be Drake Maye's best friend in 2025. He had none last season. Campbell's presence and talent will help Maye lead the Patriots into the 2025 playoffs. And you're not doing that without a top left tackle like Will Campbell, who'll be named to the NFL's 2025 All-Rookie team.