How Analysts Feel After Patriots Select Will Campbell In NFL Draft

The New England Patriots made their long-awaited first-round selection and welcomed LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell to Foxborough with the fourth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday night.

Campbell, standing at 6-foot-6 and 319 pounds, logged 38 consecutive starts across three seasons at LSU before making the leap to professional football. The Patriots met with Campbell as recently as last week, as head coach Mike Vrabel expressed a deep interest in adding the 21-year-old to New England’s roster — and that feeling was reciprocated as soon as Campbell took the stage and threw on his Patriots hat.

“Just all the hard work,” a teary-eyed Campbell said, per ESPN’s live coverage. “… To be up here, to hear my name called by a franchise like New England means so much to me. I’m gonna fight and die to protect (Drake Maye).”

The Monroe, Louisiana, native first visited New England in March and met with several members of the franchise. Meanwhile, the organization has worked to improve the roster with moves including the signings of wideout Stefon Diggs and defensive end Milton Williams before the time came for Vrabel and company to use their No. 4 pick.

New England entered last season and immediately put a then-rookie Maye in bubble wrap due to its faulty offensive line. The team’s worries quickly came to life and the Patriots allowed 52 sacks, the sixth-most in franchise history.

“That logo speaks for itself,” Campbell said, per ESPN. “Coach Vrabel is a guy I want to play for. I love everything that everyone in that building is about. It’s a complete honor to be able to wear this hat right now.”

Here’s what analysts had to say following New England’s decision to select Campbell:

Daniel Jeremiah, NFL Network
“Of all the teams in this draft, to me, the tackle need for the Patriots was probably the most glaring among all 32 teams. They had to go in this direction. They go with Will Campbell out of LSU, who reminded me a lot of Michael Roos — going the way back machine if you remember him playing for the Tennessee Titans. Very smooth, he’s played a lot of football. He started as soon as he got on campus there at LSU. When guys get into him, he does have a firm base. He can recover as well.”

Ari Merov, The 33rd Team
“A Consensus All-American, Campbell is smart, tough, dependable, and a natural leader — and now becomes the blindside protector for Drake Maye.”

Tedy Bruschi, three-time Super Bowl champion and ESPN analyst
“Immediately got better tonight. Welcome Will Campbell.”

Mike Smith, former NFL coach, Super Bowl XXXV champion
“When you watch the tape, you know what his measurables are and you see that he’s still playing at a VERY high level. … Measurables are sometimes overweighted. The tape is the most important thing.”