The spring isn’t optimal for offensive linemen.
During OTAs and minicamp, they’re not allowed to block. No one’s wearing pads. Contact in these practices is prohibited. It’s tough to gauge whether an offensive lineman is truly capable of his job.
That doesn’t mean Will Campbell didn’t learn anything this offseason.
The Patriots first-round pick finished up his first offseason workout program and says he heads into the summer with momentum. The Patriots hope the fourth overall pick will solve their problems at left tackle.
Campbell believes he’s off to a good start.
“I’ve gotten more comfortable as the days have gone with the playbook and scheme,” Campbell said. “It’s only going to keep getting better. I keep getting these reps and keep getting this stuff under my belt, it’s going to help me move along.”
The Patriots wasted no time throwing Campbell into the fire. The LSU product was immediately placed at the team’s top left tackle spot to protect Drake Maye’s blindside. The rookie spent most of the offseason working next to left guard Cole Strange, but the Patriots did rotate several other players in at that position.
The team believes they’ve made the proper steps to solving a long-standing issue.
Last season, the Patriots allowed 52 sacks. That was the sixth most in team history and the most sacks allowed by a Patriots team since 1999. The team’s sack totals have risen over the last three years – 41 (2022), 48 (2023), and 52.
Considering protecting Maye is the priority, the Patriots knew they needed wholesale changes. The team signed veteran right tackle Morgan Moses and veteran center Garrett Bradbury before drafting Campbell with the fourth pick.
Despite not being able to practice in pads, Campbell said he felt like this spring set a good foundation.
“You have to come out here and treat it like it’s a padded practice,” Campbell said. “This is where the details matter the most when you can key in on those types of things. I’d say just coming out every day and trying to be intentional and find two or three things from the previous practice that I’m trying to grow on, on the next.”
The Patriots have high hopes for Campbell. The team believes he’ll make an immediate impact and solve one of their biggest problems. The rookie said he plans on sticking around New England for most of the break and feels confident heading into his first training camp.
“Whenever you get into a new place, it’s a different thing than I’m used to, so really getting those reps, getting more experience day after day,” Campbell said. “I can feel myself improving practice after practice. That’s the thing I’ve got to come out and get better every day. I feel like I’ve done that.”
