It’s pretty evident that the Patriots and Drake Maye need some help along the offensive line. Well, the latest notable mock draft has them getting that help.
NFL Network’s lead draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah has New England selecting LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell in his first mock draft.
“The Patriots must help Drake Maye on the offensive line. I see Campbell as a safe, steady player who is still improving,” Jeremiah wrote in his rationale for the pick.
Considering the Patriots’ need for offensive linemen, particularly a left tackle, Campbell could be considered as the safe selection. He’s widely regarded as one of the two best offensive tackle prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft after being named a consensus All-American in the 2024 season.
But there have been some debates within the draft community over whether Campbell is worthy of using a top-10 pick. While Campbell is 6 feet, 6 inches, his arm length is considered to be relatively small for an offensive tackle. Bleacher Report NFL scout Brandon Thorn wrote that Campbell’s “mediocre arm length” will make him a “prime candidate” to play guard or center in the NFL. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler also noted that there is some division within the draft community over whether Campbell should play offensive tackle or guard as a professional.
Due to those concerns, some other mock drafts have Campbell slipping a bit. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. has the Bears selecting the LSU product with the 10th pick in his first mock draft, while Brugler had the Dolphins adding Campbell with the 13th overall pick in his latest mock draft.
Even though there are some questions about Campbell’s arm length, the one thing that’s undeniable about him was his production in the college game. The junior was a three-year starter at left tackle for LSU, allowing just four sacks and 45 pressures over his college career, per Pro Football Focus.
Off the field, Campbell has also been well-regarded as a leader. A quote of his went viral late in the season as he discussed the realities offensive linemen face and the mentality players at his position need to have.
“If you’ve ever got the time, go back and watch my first play of college football. I got my face ran through. Punished,” Campbell told reporters in November. “And that’s just what it is. To be thrown in the fire like this against good teams, these dudes are trying to get paid. All they’ve got to do is get to the quarterback.
“One thing we live by in the O-line room. A D-lineman gets one sack a game, and that’s the only thing he can do, 12 games, he’ll be a top-five pick. You give up one sack a game for 12 games, you’re going to work at Amazon.”
If the Patriots want to select an offensive tackle with their first-round pick but have the same concerns some others have about his arm length, Texas’ Kelvin Banks Jr. and Ohio State’s Josh Simmons are viewed as the other two top tackles in the 2025 NFL Draft class.
Banks was a two-year starter at left tackle for the Longhorns. He was particularly strong for them this year, winning the Outland Trophy and being named a unanimous All-American as he allowed just one sack. Simmons, meanwhile, got off to a strong start in his second season starting at left tackle before his season ended in October due to a knee injury.
Jeremiah has the Dolphins selecting Banks with the 13th pick and the Commanders drafting Simmons with the 29th pick in his mock draft.
