The New England Patriots have areas to address and can get started on filling those voids Thursday with the No. 4 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
The Patriots have been connected to several players including Travis Hunter, Abdul Carter and Will Campbell. All three would add a boost to the Patriots, but there’s one player who stands out among the rest.
In a column from The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, the NFL insider shed light on what should be expected when New England is on the clock.
“The Patriots, armed with the No. 4 pick, know they have a lot of needs, and while the prospect of trading up to draft Hunter or Penn State edge Abdul Carter is appealing, New England understands the importance of building a solid foundation — and how vital draft picks are to doing it,” Russini wrote. “Expect Eliot Wolf, Mike Vrabel and company to use their top selection to beef up their offensive line, and attempt to plug other holes throughout the draft.”
Campbell, despite some having questions about his arm length, would instantly add some protection for quarterback Drake Maye. A three-year starter at LSU and consensus All-American in 2024, Campbell proved to be a reliable left tackle and has “renowned leadership skills and football character,” per Bleacher Report’s scouting department.
The LSU product has often been linked to the Patriots throughout the offseason. Even though his arm length — 33 inches —has been questioned — but the LSU product never saw it as a legitimate issue.
“For two years, nobody had any measurements on me and nobody said anything about my play,” Campbell told reporters recently. “So now, all of a sudden, arm length decides if I’m a good player or not? I think it’s B.S. Any decision makers in the NFL, they don’t really care. It’s all people who don’t coach, and they don’t coach for a reason.”
MassLive’s Mark Daniels believes the Patriots should draft Campbell at No. 4 “because he’s one of the best prospects in this draft and left tackle is the biggest area of need.”
“This year’s draft isn’t considered deep with elite talent, but Campbell represents the best available offensive lineman for a team that needs to better protect Drake Maye,” Daniels wrote. “They need to take the best tackle on the board.”
