The New England Patriots didn't know much about how their team might fare in 2025 going into the year. Now 4-2 with a pair of very winnable games against the Titans and Browns coming up, the team has to feel good about where they are, but they nonetheless came into the year with plenty of questions.
How would Vrabel perform as a first-time coach in New England? Would their free agents live up to their price tags? Could Drake Maye take the necessary next step?
Despite all this confusion, third-year wide out Kayshon Boutte always knew one thing was certain: Will Campbell would be a New England Patriot. According to Alex Barth, Boutte said that Campbell texted him throughout last season, saying the Patriots needed to draft him with the No. 4 pick. Draft him, the Patriots did.
Kayshon Boutte says Will Campbell was texting him throughout the season last year, saying he wanted the Patriots to draft him
— Alex Barth (@RealAlexBarth) October 12, 2025
Boutte and Campbell each had the honor of wearing the famous #7 with the Tigers, an honor bestowed on the team's best playmaker. Boutte, a wide receiver, was a five-star recruit coming out of high school. Campbell wore the number as a patch on his jersey because he was an offensive lineman and hence ineligible to wear the number traditionally.
Will Campbell has been a phenomenal addition to anchor the Patriots' offensive line
Things weren't perfect at first for Campbell, but he has put together a rookie season to be proud of. He sports the second-highest PFF grade among all rookie tackles, first among left tackles. His pass block grade also ranks second among all rookies at the position.
He has started each game and has recorded a PFF grade higher than 70.0 in each of his last three games. His pass blocking grade has not dipped below 72.0 this season, except for the Steelers game.
The offensive line play wasn't elite at the beginning of the season, and still has a way to go before reaching the level of the best in the league. After allowing twelve sacks in the first three games, they've improved, allowing just six in the next three. It's less than their total through six games last season (23), but still should continue to improve.
Campbell won't have an elite edge rusher to face off with against Tennessee, as Jeffery Simmons features primarily on the interior. However, it will still be a tough matchup for the unit. Against the Browns on 10/26, he'll face off against one of the league's best in Myles Garrett, who has four sacks in six games. He's on pace to reach double-digit sacks for the eighth straight year.
Vederian Lowe wasn't getting the job done last year, but Campbell has been a godsend in 2025. He's everything the team has needed and more, and now we're starting to see him get going. Boutte's affirmations about Campbell confirm how excited he is to be a Patriot, and that's exactly the type of culture Vrabel and Co. are trying to build.