When New England Patriots left tackle Will Campbell was selected with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, he promised to fight and die to protect Drake Maye with everything he got. He gets his chance to do that in the AFC Divisional Round matchup against the historic Houston Texans defense.
It may be a ton of pressure to put on a rookie literally and figuratively, but if LSU product along with fellow rookie Jared Wilson can hold their own against the Texans’ defensive front, the Patriots will have a good chance to advance to the AFC Championship Game.
After struggling against the Los Angeles Chargers, all eyes will be on the rookie due, particularly Campbell who was drafted to be the great protector of Maye. While he has mostly lived up to his vows, Campbell has struggled at times, particularly against ferocious pass rushers like Myles Garrett and Khalil Mack. The Patriots were able to win both of those games, but the stakes has not been as high as they are now.
Both Anderson and Hunter have combined for 27 sacks between them. Both are fast, both are powerful, and both can single handedly wreck an offensive game plan. With the experience he gained from blocking against the likes of Garrett and Mack, as well as the experience he has going up against Anderson in the SEC, Campbell is equipped to give Maye the blindside protector he needs.
Will Campbell is the X-factor of the AFC Divisional Round matchup
Simply put, he must be the great X-factor in this matchup. He must show why he was the fourth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, because the players he is going up against are collectively the biggest challenge he will have faced so far in his young career.
“They’re great players. I played against Will [Anderson] my freshman year in college and watched Danielle since I was a little kid when he was at LSU. They are who they are for a reason,” Campbell told reporters earlier in the week.”
LT Will Campbell on Texans edge rushers Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter:
— Mike Kadlick (@mikekadlick) January 14, 2026
“They’re great players. I played against Will my freshman year in college and watched Danielle since I was a little kid when he was at LSU. They are who they are for a reason.”
The Texans also have a great secondary. If Maye can’t get the ball out quick, there will be more emphasis on Campbell, Wilson and the entire offensive line to hold up and give their QB time to either find a check down or scramble to create plays with his legs. What Campbell has on his side is that Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels is good, sometimes masterful, at scheming things up to protect the line.
What will he do to prepare against Anderson and Hunter?
"The reality is, at some point in every play it becomes one-on-one somewhere, you know what I mean?" McDaniels said, as transcribed by 98.5 the Sports Hub. "We're not going to double-team everybody on every play. It's impossible. And we don't need to. You have to pick your spots on when you need to provide some different looks. I would say more than anything else. They're going to rush, we're going to have to block them, we're going to throw the ball, they're going to have to cover. You're going to need to do almost everything you do well enough to stay ahead on the down and distance to stay on track and give yourself opportunities to finish drives. There's not going to be any shortcuts to this."
Do the Patriots go no huddle or will the screen game that has been missing all year long to keep the Texans on their heels. If there is a wrinkle, McDaniels will find it. With that side, Campbell is going to be a factor in some way. It’s not only on his shoulders, but he will be a big part of the offensive line’s success.