Campbell is considered the top offensive lineman entering this year’s draft.
The New England Patriots are in dire need of some offensive line help, and might be looking toward the draft to give them some long-term stability. If so, one name stands out among the rest: LSU’s Will Campbell is considered the best O-lineman prospect available this year.
A lock to be selected in the first round in April, Campbell combines a 6-foot-6, 323-pound frame with outstanding balance, anchor and physicality. The two-year captain has 38 starts at left tackle on his college résumé, playing a combined 2,553 snaps in a pass-first Tigers offense that operates a multiple run scheme.
On Tuesday, Campbell officially announced his decision to forgo his final year of eligibility in Baton Rouge to make the jump to the NFL.
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Despite his undeniable talent and Pro Bowl ceiling, there are questions when it comes to Campbell and the Patriots. For starters, the team might not want to pick him in its current position; New England owns the No. 4 pick at the moment, but very well could climb further up the draft rankings given the difficulty of its remaining schedule.
For as good as Campbell is, spending a top-3 pick — or maybe even the first overall — on him would be a bit rich. That is especially true considering his projection at the NFL level.
While he has been outstanding as a Day 1 starter at left tackle in college, his comparatively mediocre arm length led to speculation that he might move inside at the next level. He would be an upgrade for the Patriots either way, but adding a guard might not be as high up on the list of priorities as bringing in a starter-caliber offensive tackle.
Campbell could very well be that as well. When it comes to New England, it all depends on what the team’s evaluators see relative to their scheme, free agency targets, and the personnel currently on the roster.
That all being said, the Patriots’ scouting department led by quasi-GM Eliot Wolf, player personnel director Matt Groh and college scouting director Camren Williams will take a close look at Campbell regardless. He is the best option available at the biggest area of need.
