After allowing the fifth-most sacks in the NFL last season (52), it was no secret the New England Patriots wanted to upgrade the protection in front of franchise quarterback Drake Maye.
And while the team had its pick of every offensive tackle in the 2025 NFL draft — a group that included Missouri’s Armand Membou, Texas’ Kelvin Banks, and Ohio State’s Josh Simmons — the Patriots chose who many believed was the top blindside protector in the class in LSU’s Will Campbell.
The 6-foot-6, 324-pound left tackle was among the best blockers in college football last season, and he immediately ingratiated himself with the Patriots fan base after letting his emotions get the best of him during an interview on stage immediately after he was drafted.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell with LSU Tigers offensive lineman Will Campbell after he is selected by the New England Patriots as the number four pick in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft at Lambeau Field.
“Man, just all the hard work,” Campbell said as he choked back tears. “I’ve worked my entire life to be up here, to get my name called by a franchise like New England — it’s means everything to me.”
Campbell was then asked what kind of tone he was going to set on the Patriots offensive line in protecting Maye, to which he responded: “I’m going to fight and die to protect him with everything I’ve got.”
New England Patriots QB Drake Maye takes a sack against the New York Jets.
Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
Campbell’s remarks caught the attention of his new quarterback, who took to social media to let Patriots fans know exactly what he thought of his new teammate.
“Love this guy already🔥 LFG,” Maye posted on X.
In three seasons at LSU, Campbell allowed just four sacks, 49 pressures, and 32 hurries while playing 2,548 snaps at left tackle, per Pro Football Focus. He never allowed more than two sacks or 18 pressures in any season.
For comparison, the Patriots used five different players at left tackle last season—Vederian Lowe, Demontrey Jacobs, Zach Thomas, Caedan Wallace, and Chukwuma Okorafor—who combined to allow 94 pressures, 63 hurries, 17 sacks, and 14 QB hits, per PFF.
