Will Campbell of the New England Patriots smiles during training camp
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Will Campbell of the New England Patriots smiles during training camp
When the New England Patriots traded down twice in April, sacrificing 18 positions in the draft, to draft interior offensive lineman Jared Wilson, he was labeled a project center. Now, just over three months later, the University of Georgia alum is a projected day one starter.
Wilson has consumed all first team reps at a position that was previously held down by 2022 NFL Draft first round selection, Cole Strange. Now situated next to the fourth pick in this year’s draft, Jared Wilson and Will Campbell is the rookie pairing tasked with protecting the face of the franchise’s blindside.
The preseason Week 1 showing put a lot of good plays on tape. However, the duo was notably beat by a twist stunt that lead to quarterback Drake Maye fumbling in the backfield.
Offensive line coach Doug Marrone says the team expects to see plenty more of that this week in joint practices with the Minnesota Vikings.
“If something happens and they get you once, and you put stuff on tape and you’re exposed to it, you better make sure you work on it because you’re definitely going to see it again and people are going to test you on it,” Marrone warned.
‘We Just Talk About How Much Fun It’s Going To Be’
Perhaps it’s confidence, perhaps its naivety, either way rookie Jared Wilson says he and Campbell are ready for the tall task.
“We just talk about how fun it’s going to be — two rookies, next to each other, left guard and left tackle, on the blindside. We know it’s going to be a challenge every day. Teams are going to bring their best on us,” Wilson said as reported by Mike Reiss. “We just have to be ready.”
Wilson does not have a wealth of experience to draw on. He was injured his junior year as a Bulldog, so he only started 12 games for Kirby Smart.
To make matters worse, Wilson was hurt all spring. He was unable to participate in many of the rookie camps due to a foot injury, so he says he is still in the learning phase of his NFL development.
“I’m learning new things every day, trying to be real technical in the work because center you’re playing even and going to guard you have to stagger,” Wilson said. “Making mistakes every day, but trying not to make old mistakes.”
Will Campbell Grades Out Higher Than Any Other Rookie Lineman
Pro Football Focus, or PFF, is the NFL’s accepted grading system. It uses advanced analytics to grade performance based on a compilation of countless metrics.
PFF’s grades are out for Week 1 of the preseason, and while nobody here is overreacting to preseason action, it is still noteworthy that the Pats’ first round pick received the highest grade of any rookie lineman.
PFF’s official grade was an 85.4. Notably, the algorithm did not fault Campbell for the Maye miscue, instead they awarded Campbell a perfect eight for eight on pass block snaps.
Campbell also was credited with three pancakes on the six run blocking snaps he took.