Patriots First Round Pick Will Bore Fans But Win Games

James Kelly

He/Him

News Editor

4/28/25

Louisiana State University left tackle Will Campbell probably won’t sell many jerseys or fill many seats at Gillette Stadium, but at fourth-overall, he was exactly the right pick for the New England Patriots.

Ultimately, the All-American lineman fills New England’s biggest void. Last season, the Patriots offensive line ranked last in the NFL for pressures allowed on dropbacks, at 39.4%. Rookie quarterback Drake Maye struggled with a lack of offensive support broadly, but nowhere was it more apparent than on the offensive line; the Patriots gave up 52 sacks in 2024, tied for fifth most in the league.

Of course, New England also faced considerable holes elsewhere last season, namely in their receiving corps and pass rush. But those were holes the Patriots at least patched up in free agency. On offense, they signed receivers Mack Hollins and Stefon Diggs. Coming off an injury, Diggs, 31, may be slow to start. But at his best, he has the potential to be a true WR1. If Hunter Henry can keep up his production, Maye should have some serviceable weapons in the fall. 

The Patriots’ defensive moves look even more promising. In signing Philadelphia DT Milton Williams, who is fresh off a Super Bowl Championship defined by a dominant defensive performance in the trenches, New England picked up the player with perhaps the most demand out of all free agents. And the Patriots two new linebackers – Raider Robert Spillane and Titan Harold Landry III – will form a dominant duo. 

There were flashier players New England might have considered in WR/CB Travis Hunter and DE Abdul Carter, but given they were drafted at second and third overall, respectively, the Patriots would have had to trade up to get them, giving up valuable draft capital in the process. 

Campbell put up impressive numbers at LSU. In 38 games and more than 2,500 snaps in a pass-heavy offense, Campbell gave up only two sacks. In college, Campbell held his own against future NFL stars including Jalen Carter, Jared Verse, Will Anderson Jr., and Dallas Turner.

The bulk of criticism again Campbell centers around his relatively short arm length; where the benchmark for NFL teams is usually 33 inches, Cambell’s arms measure 32 ⅝ inches. “Apparently to everybody I have T-Rex arms,” he joked to reporters before the draft. Still, Campbell’s stats speak for themselves, and there have been plenty of NFL tackles who have succeeded with relatively short arms (though longer than Campbell’s). First-team All-Pro Lions right tackle Penei Sewell plays with 33 ¼-inch arms. First-team All-Pro left tackle Matt Light had 33 ½-inch arms, and now belongs to the Patriots Hall of Fame. Second-team All-Pro (and 2-time Pro Bowl) Charger Rashawn Slater has 33-inch arms.

In drafting Campbell, New England passed on prospects that had generated a lot of hype before the draft. And with a promising long-term franchise quarterback in Drake Maye, the Patriots had the luxury of being able to consider skill position players in a fairly quarterback-weak draft. Above all, Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty became a favorite for New England sports pundits. The Patriots do significantly need backfield talent; Rhamondre Stevenson has a fumbling problem and Antonio Gibson has not been good since his 2021 season with the Commanders. 

Drafting a running back in the top five is a waste of a draft pick, though. Running backs are cheap, and a solid offensive line can improve an offense broadly more than an elite running back. Ironically, Campbell will likely help New England’s run game more than Jeanty ever could. Campbell may not be flashy, but he will make an immediate and substantial impact on the Patriots’ roster.