The New England Patriots had already found their quarterback of the future.
Now, they just need to keep him safe.
That’s why they didn’t hesitate to take LSU standout Will Campbell, the highest-ranked offensive tackle in his class, so early in the 2025 NFL Draft.
And while some were worried about his size – or lack thereof – the young tackle held his ground perfectly in his first taste of NFL action.
As pointed out by PFF on X, Campbell logged an 85.4 PFF grade, giving up zero pressures in eight pass-blocking snaps.
Will Campbell in his NFL debut:
🛡️ 85.4 PFF grade
🛡️ 8 pass-blocking snaps
🛡️ 0 pressures allowed pic.twitter.com/RA05Cz81Ca— PFF (@PFF) August 10, 2025
Granted, this was just the preseason, and the sample size was quite limited, so we should take these numbers with a grain of salt.
Nevertheless, there was nothing not to like about his tape.
The Patriots have high hopes for Drake Maye in his first full season as a starter, and keeping him out of harm’s way will be crucial for that.
He was constantly running for his life and running into collapsed pockets last season, taking some major hits along the way.
Campbell might not be the biggest specimen at the position, but what he lacks in size, he makes up for with unmatched effort and elite technique, not to mention impressive strength.
The Patriots have endured some frustrating seasons, and they’re not used to being in this type of position.
But all good teams are built in the trenches, and adding a stout pass-blocker of Campbell’s caliber to the mix might be the first step on the road back to contention.
