What kind of rookie season should we expect from Patriots No. 4 pick Will Campbell?

New York Times

17 hours ago

Editor's note: This is the seventh story in a 10-part series looking at the most intriguing New England Patriots players ahead of training camp.
Previously: Efton Chism, TreVeyon Henderson, Keion White, Kyle Williams, Christian Barmore and Milton Williams
Even if it seemed obvious all offseason that the Patriots were going to draft Will Campbell with the No. 4 pick, the team's brass took a trip to Louisiana a week before they were on the clock for a final meeting with the left tackle. It was a last check-in to make sure everyone was on the same page with picking the guy they envision protecting Drake Maye's blindside for years to come.
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Campbell passed the test, even if it included knocking down his future coach with a powerful block.
Ever since, Campbell has been penciled in as the team's starting left tackle, a rare job for a rookie but one that spotlights how highly the Pats think of the player they drafted at No. 4. Still, it also spotlights why Campbell will be one of the most important players to the Patriots in 2025, even before he has played a down in the NFL. For that reason, he's one of the most intriguing Pats players entering camp.
Campbell is the son of Monroe, La., natives. His dad is a farmer, and his mom works at a local sporting goods store that has been in the family for four generations.
He started playing football in kindergarten and was a four-year starter in high school, becoming one of the top-ranked recruits in the nation and the fourth-ranked offensive tackle. He committed to LSU over Oklahoma and several other schools.
In Baton Rouge, Campbell quickly became a three-year starter, all at left tackle. He was a freshman All-American, All-SEC as a sophomore, then an All-American as a junior. He entered the NFL Draft after that and was the second-youngest (21) tackle taken in the first three rounds (only Armand Membou was younger).
In what might be a little rare for a rookie, Campbell has been the team's starting left tackle from Day 1.
The offensive line had some rough moments in the spring, including several false start penalties and some plays where they were straight-up beat. That's to be expected from a group with four new starters from a year ago on an offense learning a new scheme, and it's hard to put much stock into spring practices without full pads.
In short, Campbell's offseason was right in line with what you'd expect from a rookie: some really good moments and flashes of potential, and a few rough spots getting acclimated to the NFL.
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One probably under-discussed aspect of Campbell's rookie season is the addition of Doug Marrone as offensive line coach. In the last three years, the Pats have been left with first-time coaches at the position, a hindrance considering it seems the O-line coach might be the most important position coach in the NFL.
Marrone should be a nice benefit for Campbell as he navigates the difficult world of playing the most important spot on the offensive line. Marrone is viewed as one of the best offensive line coaches in the NFL. He also brings experience to Vrabel's staff, having served as an NFL offensive line coach for nine years and an NFL head coach for six years – and it doesn't need repeating that experience was one of the biggest issues with last year's coaching staff.
While the Pats were a little unlucky to land the No. 4 pick in a draft with three players clearly in a tier to themselves, they were fortunate that one tackle became the consensus top prospect at their biggest position of need.
Will Campbell is a OT prospect in the 2025 draft class. He scored an unofficial 9.88 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 17 out of 1379 OT from 1987 to 2025.
Splits projected, times unofficial.https://t.co/ZYW6riWNYI pic.twitter.com/wIGfDMSMoA
— RAS.football (@MathBomb) March 2, 2025
Campbell comes with years of experience in the SEC, where he dominated against plenty of future NFLers. His testing numbers project him as one of the most athletic offensive tackles in the NFL and should help make up for a lack of length.
Campbell is a rookie left tackle. Unlike wide receiver, it's not a position where many guys show up and dominate from Day 1. For as talented as Campbell is and for as decorated as he is entering the NFL, he faces an uphill climb to be an above-average (or even average) starter this season.
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It's also worth noting that it's unclear who will play next to Campbell at left guard, one of two uncertain spots on the offensive line. It would go a long way for a rookie left tackle if the guy next to him plays well.
Plus, while we certainly don't need to delve all the way into it here considering the ink spilled and talk spent on it in the pre-draft process, Campbell's relatively short arm size further emphasizes the importance of him using good footwork so that speedy edge rushers don't bolt by him with Campbell unable to reach them.
One benefit for Campbell in camp is that he'll go against a variety of pass rush styles. Keion White brings power and long arms for strong bull rushes. Harold Landry brings speed to the edge. K'Lavon Chaisson brings bendiness and a quick first step.
It will be worth watching how Campbell handles the different types of pass rushes and if there's one (perhaps the speed rushes?) that Campbell struggles with more than the rest.
Because, while camp is typically a time for earning a lineup or roster spot, it seems pretty settled already that Campbell will be the Patriots' starting left tackle.