This month, MassLive will look at the top four realistic options for the Patriots in the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft. Mike Vrabel’s team’s hold the No. 4 pick. If they don’t trade down, these are the most realistic options.
Will Campbell, tackle, LSU
A three-year starter at left tackle, Campbell enters this draft as arguably the best offensive line prospect. He earned First-team All-American and First-team All-SEC honors last year. Campbell had a pre-draft visit with the Patriots.
Why the pick makes sense: The Patriots biggest need is at left tackle. Campbell excelled at left tackle for LSU against top competition in the SEC.
The Patriots hammered their defense in free agency, signing Harold Landry, Milton Williams, Carlton Davis, Robert Spillane, K’Lavon Chaisson, Khyiris Tonga, Jack Gibbens, and Marcus Epps. On the offensive line, the signed right tackle Morgan Moses and center Garrett Bradbury. The team lacks proven starters at left tackle and left guard.
Last year, the Patriots allowed 52 sacks. That was the sixth most in franchise history and the most by a Patriots team since 1999. Their weak links were their starting tackles Vederian Lowe and Demontrey Jacobs.
Considering the Patriots need to better protect Drake Maye, drafting Campbell at No. 4 makes all the sense in the world. At 6-foot-6, 319 pounds, he’s an elite athlete, running a 4.98 40-yard dash. Campbell would instantly start at left tackle for the Patriots. He’d also be an upgrade over Lowe on the left side. Unlike Caedan Wallace, who played right tackle in college, Campbell only played left tackle at LSU.
The Patriots need a higher-upside player to protect Maye’s blind side. Campbell would give them that and fill their biggest need.
Why it doesn’t: If Campbell is going to succeed at left tackle in the NFL then he’s going to be an exception to the rule.
At the NFL Combine, his arm length measured 32 5/8 inches and his wingspan checked in at 77 3/8 inches. Both marks are considered smaller than average for an NFL offensive tackle. For that reason, many believe Campbell is best suited for the left guard position.
That creates an interesting dilemma for the Patriots. Do they draft a collegiate left tackle who might be better suited at guard with the No. 4 overall pick? There’s a degree of risk here with Campbell.
Detractors say that the Patriots shouldn’t draft a player who might be a guard that high in the draft. Others argue that Vrabel’s team could also use a better left guard and that Campbell represents an upgrade for the Patriots offensive line no matter what position he plays. He will be a starter in the NFL from Day 1, but it’s up for debate what position that’ll be.
There other argument against drafting Campbell is that he might not be the best available player for the Patriots.
It’s obvious what the Patriots should do if Travis Hunter or Abdul Carter fall out of the top 3. If both top blue-chip prospects are gone, do the Patriots draft for need or best available?
Campbell fits the team’s biggest need. But do the Patriots have him graded higher than Georgia linebacker/edge rusher Jalon Walker, defensive tackle Mason Graham or Missouri tackle Armand Membou?
Vrabel will likely answer that question at the end of the month when the Patriots are on the clock.
