Rookie Campbell owns that position for the Patriots, and he’s already showing signs of a Pro Bowl and better performance. It won’t take long for the much-maligned left tackle before the draft to establish himself not only as the best rookie tackle in the NFL but one of the premier tackles, period.
Mike Vrabel brushed off foolish comments and took Will Campbell
Mike Vrabel made Will Campbell his first Patriots draft pick ever and never looked back. Vrabel knew, unlike his predecessors, that having a top left tackle was essential to having an offense. It’s not the place to try to fit a right tackle or anyone else but a bona fide left tackle into that position.
Now, Bleacher Report has graded Patriots’ first-round pick Will Campbell highly for his first four games.
“4. New England Patriots OT Will Campbell: B+
In two of his last three games, Campbell hasn’t given up a single hurry, per Pro Football Focus. He hasn’t been responsible for a sack since Week 1 and hasn’t taken a penalty since Week 2. That said, his run-blocking needs some work. “
That’s a strong endorsement by a top analytical outfit about Campbell’s play thus far in only his first four NFL games. As Campbell matures even this season, expect his play to improve dramatically. Campbell is a lock for First Team All-Rookie in the NFL, and he may very well land in the Pro Bowl after this season, as well. The sky is the limit for the big LSU product.
Will Campbell will round into a Pro Bowl or better NFL left tackle
As noted by Bleacher Report, Campbell’s pass-blocking has exceeded expectations by leaps and bounds. Ironically, that was the aspect that skeptics put in question. But as Bleacher Report has correctly pointed out, his run blocking hasn’t been quite up to snuff. Expect a big improvement there, especially if the Patriots do what they should have been all along and run on Campbell’s side often.
Many observers raised concerns about Campbell’s arm length and shoulder width, citing them as a significant red flag as to whether he could play left tackle in the NFL. It was a lot of baloney, as his play at LSU demonstrated without any question. Combine-driven stats overruled his on-field play for some analysts, but fortunately, not Vrabel.
Vrabel is an experienced and astute NFL personnel guy. He not only knew he needed a left tackle and a good one, but when he whiffed in free agency, he realized he had to go heavy in the draft to get one. He did, and he, along with his quarterback, Drake Maye, and the Patriots team, has never looked back. Pick grade: A+.
