The Patriots' offensive line was one of the matador variety last season, with opposing defensive tackles and linebackers often having open lanes to quarterbacks Drake Maye and Jacoby Brissett. Not wanting Maye to spend most of the 2025 campaign running for his life or on his back, Eliot Wolf went to work rebuilding that position this offseason.
That was highlighted by the Patriots using the fourth overall pick to select Will Campbell. Although his arm length was a question mark coming out of college, the organization clearly believed him to be the franchise left tackle that New England needs. Campbell's selection was a significant part of an offseason aimed at giving the quarterback the help he needs.
Protecting a quarterback's blind side is arguably the toughest job for any NFL offensive tackle, no less a rookie who will be lined up against top pass rushers throughout the season, including the Raiders' Maxx Crosby and Pittsburgh's T.J. Watt over the season's first month. But the Patriots trust Campbell; otherwise, would they have even gone the left tackle route with a top-five pick?
Will Campbell needs to be the surefire left tackle option the Patriots need
Barring some unforeseen circumstances, Campbell will be starting at left tackle for the Patriots on Opening Day against Las Vegas. And something unplanned better not happen, given New England has no other surefire options at the position. Campbell had better stay healthy in training camp.
He is deemed a day one starter, as reiterated by Bleacher Report's Matt Holder, and because of the position he plays, it's crucial he's available in Week 1.
"The primary reason the Patriots took Campbell this high is that they don’t have another legitimate option to protect Drake Maye’s blind side. As a result, the LSU product will be taking on the league’s best pass-rushers immediately, starting with the Raiders' Maxx Crosby in the season opener."
While Mike Vrabel and company were impressed with what Campbell did during offseason activities, it's a little bit of a wild card because those practices are performed without pads and contact. Campbell will get his chances to show what he can truly do come training camp, especially when he's lined up against a rebuilt New England defense expected to be one of the league's best.
Campbell will have a lot of weight on his shoulders right from his first snap with the Patriots, and while the NFL is a different animal than college football, playing in the best conference in the country at LSU will be an X-factor that helps Campbell's game. He was often lined up against NFL-talented pass rushers in college and LSU quarterbacks stayed upright more often than not.
That's what the Patriots are going to need if they're going to win more games this season. Maye's numbers can undoubtedly improve over those of his rookie year thanks to a rebuilt roster that is projected to include three new starters - including Campbell - up front. New England wouldn't have gone the offensive lineman route with a No. 4 pick if it didn't feel Campbell was a surefire opening day starter.