Patriots coach Mike Vrabel seems completely sold on LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell.
Patriots coach Mike Vrabel seems completely sold on LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell.Matthew Hinton/Associated Press
I think I know what the Patriots intend to do with the No. 4 overall pick in the NFL Draft.
I think they’re going to take Will Campbell, the talented left tackle from Louisiana State whose arms may or may not be as long as a footstool’s legs.
I’m close to convinced that Campbell will be the pick for a couple of reasons. First, left tackle remains far and away the biggest need on a roster that has many needs, and if you disagree with how essential it is to find someone competent to protect Drake Maye’s blindside, you’re probably a member of Vederian Lowe’s family.
Second, Mike Vrabel seems completely sold. When the first-year Patriots coach discussed Campbell at the owners’ meetings Monday, he sounded certain that the first-team All-American can thrive at left tackle in the NFL despite arms that measured 32⅝ inches at the combine and 33 inches at LSU’s Pro Day.
Now, as you may have heard, long arms — meaning 33 inches at a minimum — are considered a necessity for a left tackle in the NFL, in order to steer lightning-fast edge rushers on a detoured path away from the quarterback. I don’t know if this has always been a job requirement at the position — you tell me if Leon Gray had long arms, because all I know is that he could block like a locomotive — but it is one now.
The discrepancy in lengths for Campbell is odd. Does the measurement depend on who is doing the measuring? Did he hang for hours on end on a chin-up bar in a desperate but successful quest to elongate his arms between the combine and his Pro Day? Whatever the reason, Vrabel doesn’t seem worried about it, confirming that the Patriots envision Campbell as a left tackle rather than a prospect who might have to move to guard.
“I think you have to,” said Vrabel, who noted that Campbell has great game film. “I don’t understand how you could watch him play in the SEC . . . against guys who are going to get drafted [and not see him as a tackle]. I don’t think you have to project it — you can just watch."
I believe we will be watching Campbell play left tackle for the Patriots when the season commences in September. I believe they will draft him at No. 4, and I trust Vrabel’s singular assessment of an in-the-trenches prospect more than I would if the entire previous Patriots coaching staff was unanimous in agreement on him.
Will Campbell's unimpressive measurables don't seem to trouble Mike Vrabel.
Will Campbell's unimpressive measurables don't seem to trouble Mike Vrabel.Michael Conroy/Associated Press
But this must be confessed: That pick, even if Campbell is the logical selection for the Patriots in that spot, would feel just a little disappointing. Not because of him, but because of the more enticing potential of at least one player that they likely would have to pass up to select him.
After checking out approximately 1,960 mock drafts since the end of the 2024 season and reading up on the candidates to be selected in the top half of the draft, it’s clear that this class is a reminder that not all drafts are created equally.
To put it another way: Maye, the No. 3 overall pick last year, would easily be the No. 1 pick this year. The Patriots, even with some bold spending in free agency, are still devoid of elite young talent beyond Maye, cornerback Christian Gonzalez, and maybe former Eagles defensive tackle Milton Williams.
This draft does not have an abundance of elite talent at the top. Assuming Miami quarterback Cam Ward goes No. 1 to the Titans and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders is selected in the top three, that will give the Patriots a shot to pick one of the two most enticing talents: Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter or Colorado receiver/cornerback/all-around marvel Travis Hunter.
Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter would be enticing to take with the No. 4 pick.
Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter would be enticing to take with the No. 4 pick.Kyusung Gong/Associated Press
Carter has a chance to be the best player in the draft, and selecting him would be reminiscent of taking Southern Cal’s Willie McGinest No. 4 overall in 1994. Edge rushers are always at a premium, and honestly, Carter ought to go first overall. He’d be a welcome addition to the Patriots . . . and yet it would do nothing to get Maye the help he needs and deserves.
Which brings us to Hunter, who happened to win the Heisman Trophy last season as the best receiver and cornerback in college football. He is unfathomably athletic, much like his coach at Colorado, Deion Sanders, was in his prime-time days.
Colorado's Travis Hunter could provide help on both sides of the ball.
Colorado's Travis Hunter could provide help on both sides of the ball.David Zalubowski/Associated Press
Hunter is also raw at both corner and receiver, understandable considering he was playing double duty. As Mike Tanier wrote in his excellent “Too Deep Zone” newsletter: “Anyone nitpicking [Hunter’s] technique on either side of the ball needs to take a long walk in the sunshine. Hunter did things at the power conference level that no one has done in decades. He’s special in ways undreamed of by draftnik philosophy.”
I don’t know about you, but I hope that the Patriots end up with Hunter, then leave it up to Vrabel and his staff on how to best deploy a diamond of a player who has the talent of two premier prospects.
I’d be happy with Carter. I hope the pick is Hunter. It will probably be Campbell, based on Vrabel’s words and tone Monday.
Oh, I suppose I’ll talk myself into him when the time comes. Maybe his arms will have somehow elongated even more by then.
Chad Finn can be reached at chad.finn@globe.com. Follow him @GlobeChadFinn.