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Patriots pick LSU tackle Will Campbell at No. 4 in 2025 NFL Draft
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- Patriots pick LSU tackle Will Campbell at No. 4 in 2025 NFL Draft
Drake Maye has a new blindside protector.
The Patriots have selected LSU's Will Campbell with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. A three-year starter at left tackle in Baton Rouge, Campbell became one of the draft's most polarizing prospects because of his arm length.
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Some evaluators use 33 inches as the cutoff for tackles, and Campbell's arms measured 32⅝ inches at the NFL Combine while clocking in at 33 inches exactly at LSU 's Pro Day.
No matter the measurements, Mike Vrabel said the Patriots viewed him as left tackle because of what he's put on tape.
"Yeah, I think you have to," Vrabel said at the NFL league meeting. "I don't understand how you can watch him play in the SEC — which is the best conference in college football, against guys that are going to get drafted at that position — so I don't think you have to project it, you can just actually watch and say there's the snaps at left tackle, evaluate it, and see what you think."
Terrific in pass protection and a mauler in the run game, Campbell only allowed two sacks in his final two seasons at LSU. At 6-foot-6 and 319 pounds, Campbell clocked a sub-5-second 40-yard dash, and NFL Media's Daniel Jeremiah sees him as a long-term starter at left tackle.
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"Campbell has ideal height, bulk and athleticism for his position," Jeremiah writes. "In pass pro, he stays square, bends well and keeps his hands in tight. He will expose his chest at times (due to his lack of ideal length) but he's able to recover after giving up some initial ground. He can slide and redirect with ease. He flashes the upper-body strength to torque and control defenders.
"In the run game, he can wash defenders on down blocks and he stays attached to/through the whistle. There's been a lot of talk about Campbell's arm length during the evaluation process, but he had to be pleased they measured 33 inches at LSU's pro day. He is just scratching the surface of his potential and should start at tackle for a decade, provided he stays healthy."
Campbell should immediately jump to the top of New England 's depth chart at left tackle. Vederian Lowe — who started 13 games last season — could wind up as a backup swing tackle, given the acquisition of Morgan Moses on right side.
The Patriots have currently have eight picks remaining in this year's draft, which runs through Saturday afternoon:
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Round 2:38th overall
Round 3:69th overall
Round 3:77th overall
Round 4:106th overall
Round 5:144th overall
Round 5:171st overall
Round 7:220th overall
Round 7:238th overall
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Read the original article on MassLive .
