The New England Patriots picked for need and talent at No. 4 overall on the 2025 NFL draft board, and they ended up achieving both by selecting LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell.
Left tackle was the biggest need on the roster heading into the draft, and Campbell was the No. 1-ranked offensive tackle on the entire board.
The Patriots kept it simple by going after a high-end blindside protector for their young franchise quarterback, Drake Maye.
Campbell should come in with a chip on his shoulder, given the criticisms surrounding his arm length over the last few months.
That should work to his advantage when transitioning to the next level.
Sure, Campbell doesn’t meet all of the prototypical measurement requirements of an NFL tackle, but he’s an exceptional technician with tremendous footwork and the ability to finish blocks with the sort of nasty streak a hard-nosed coach like Mike Vrabel will love.
This was the safest pick on the board for the Patriots, and it could pay off in a major way for years to come.
