FOXBORO, Mass. — The Patriots have a new left tackle to protect Drake Maye’s blindside … hopefully.

The Patriots selected LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell with the fourth overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft. Campbell, 21, was LSU’s starting left tackle for the last three seasons. There is some question about his ability to man that spot in the NFL, however, due to a lack of length.

Still, Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel said last month that he views Campbell as a left tackle in the NFL.

“Yeah, I think you have to,” Vrabel said at the NFL annual meeting. “I don’t understand how you can watch him play in the SEC — which is the best conference in college football, against guys that are going to get drafted at that position — so I don’t think you have to project it, you can just actually watch and say there’s the snaps at left tackle, evaluate it, and see what you think.”

That’s not an unpopular opinion around the league. The Boston Herald polled NFL evaluators about Campbell’s pro position, and most said they believe he can stick at tackle.

Campbell has prototypical size and athleticism for an NFL left tackle. At 6-foot-6, 319 pounds, he ran a 4.98-second 40-yard dash (92nd percentile for an offensive tackle) with a 32-inch vertical leap (88th percentile), 9-feet, 5-inch broad jump (91st percentile) and 1.76-second 10-yard split (64th percentile) at the NFL scouting combine. But his arms measured just 32 5/8 inches at the combine and 33 inches at his pro day. His 77 3/8-inch wingspan is historically short for an offensive tackle.

So, while the Patriots might be hopeful that Campbell can play left tackle in the NFL, it’s no guarantee until they see him action during OTAs, minicamp, training camp and the preseason.

Left tackle was the Patriots’ biggest need entering the draft, and it’s also one of the most valuable positions in the NFL. If Campbell has to kick inside to left guard in the NFL, it still fills a need for the Patriots but comes with far less positional value, which is why it’s rare for an interior offensive lineman to get drafted in the top 5.

Campbell has made it clear that he does not view his lack of length as a deterrent.

“For two years, nobody had any measurements on me, and nobody said anything about my play,” he said at his pro day. “So now, all of a sudden, arm length decides if I’m a good player or not? I think it’s BS.”

In three years as a starter at LSU, Campbell allowed four sacks, 13 QB hits and 32 hurries. He let up two sacks, five QB hits and 11 hurries last season. His best season came in 2023, blocking for current Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, when he didn’t allow a sack all season and let up five QB hits and 12 hurries.

Campbell is a Monroe, La., native, where he attended Neville High School. He’s been an immediate starter at every level, playing right tackle as a 14-year-old freshman in high school before moving to left tackle as a sophomore. A four-star recruit, Campbell enrolled early at LSU and started every game but two (one due to illness, the other due to a 2024 bowl game opt-out) in his three-year career before declaring for the draft.

The 21-year-old blocker was named a team captain in 2024 and was awarded LSU’s No. 7 jersey last season. The honor, which dates back to 2008, is given to LSU’s most electric playmaker. Current Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte also donned the jersey during his LSU career.

Campbell had said during interviews leading up to the NFL draft that he spent a lot of time with the Patriots and that Vrabel is “cool” and his “kind of guy.”

If Campbell remains at left tackle, he’ll be joined by center Garrett Bradbury, right guard Mike Onwenu and right tackle Morgan Moses on the Patriots’ projected offensive line. Cole Strange, Layden Robinson and Sidy Sow are among the in-house options to play left guard. If Campbell has to slide inside to left guard, then left tackle remains a major trouble spot with Vederian Lowe and Caedan Wallace as the top options in that role. The rest of the Patriots’ offensive line room is currently filled out by centers Jake Andrews and Ben Brown, tackle Demontrey Jacobs and guards Tyrese Robinson and Wes Schweitzer.

Prior to any potential trades, the Patriots have eight more picks to fill other needs on their roster, including wide receiver, edge defender and defensive tackle. They currently have three Day 2 picks and five on Day 3.

They’re currently set to pick next at No. 38 overall at the top of the second round.

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