If you’ve been following the New England Patriots’ approach to the 2025 NFL Draft, you’ve probably heard about Will Campbell — and his arm length.
The LSU left tackle has been picked apart by draft pundits for his relatively short arms, which some have flagged as a concern heading into the pros. But The Athletic’s Dane Brugler doesn’t seem too worried about it.
On Wednesday, The Athletic published the 2025 edition of “The Beast,” Brugler’s annual draft guide, which is appointment reading for those looking to learn about prospects.
Brugler rates Campbell as the No. 1 offensive tackle in this year’s class and the No. 6 prospect overall. That flies in the face of some mock draft narratives that have the LSU product slipping behind Missouri’s Armand Membou in the tackle rankings.
Brugler acknowledged that Campbell’s 33-inch arms aren’t as long as some teams would like. But he notes that other skills will make up for that deficiency.
“Overall, Campbell’s mediocre arm length lessens his margin for error, but his athletic movements, core strength and competitive finish help him stay connected through the whistle, regardless of the block required,” Brugler wrote.
Brugler’s Beast carries weight. It features extensive data and insight on virtually every draft prospect. It often resets the narrative around certain players. Campbell could be one of those.
The Patriots’ No. 1 need right now is a left tackle. As things stand, it would be a shock to see an offensive lineman come off the board before New England is on the clock at No. 4 overall.
Campbell has been picked apart to shreds during the pre-draft process. As a result, there’s an argument that Campbell would be a reach for New England that early — especially when there’s a chance to land an elite prospect like Abdul Carter or Travis Hunter.
But based on Brugler’s analysis — and what Mike Vrabel has said — Campbell could very well be in the mix as a solid value with the fourth overall pick.
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