NFL Draft Notebook: Why LSU’s Will Campbell could be a perfect fit for the Saints

In this week’s NFL Draft Notebook, we begin by analyzing LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell and explaining why he could be an ideal fit for the New Orleans Saints next season. We then spotlight five prospects to watch this weekend, before wrapping up with a breakdown of the concerns scouts have about some of the top quarterback prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft.

New Orleans Saints draft target Will Campbell

One of the marquee matchups in the SEC this weekend will feature LSU vs. South Carolina, and a player scouts and fans should pay close attention to is LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell. He's currently my top-rated offensive tackle for the 2025 NFL Draft and is projected to be a top-ten pick next spring.

Campbell has been a standout for LSU from the moment he stepped on campus. He earned the starting left tackle job as a true freshman after an impressive spring camp, having enrolled a semester early. In his first season, he posted an 85.6 pass-blocking grade on true pass sets according to Pro Football Focus, trailing only Peter Skoronski, who became the 11th overall pick in the draft that year. In his second season, Campbell took it to another level, earning First-Team All-SEC honors while not allowing a single sack all year. This season, despite a tough opener, he's been solid, highlighted by an 88.8 pass-blocking grade against Nicholls, and he has yet to allow a single pressure.

As a pro prospect, Campbell excels in both the run and pass game. In the run game, he combines rare strength and speed, showcasing an explosive burst off the ball. At 6'6" and 323 pounds, his aggressive playing style and raw power, evidenced by his 600-pound squat, make him difficult to overpower. His mobility is another asset, allowing him to get to the second level and make key blocks on linebackers in the run game.

While his run-blocking is top-tier, Campbell’s pass-blocking might be even more impressive. In three years with LSU, he’s allowed only two sacks. His balance, quick feet, and strong base make him hard to beat off the edge, while his hand placement and overall technique prevent defenders from using bull rushes or strength to overpower him.

The main concern scouts might have with Campbell is his arm length, which is shorter than ideal for someone of his size. This was evident in matchups last season against Alabama’s Dallas Turner and Missouri’s Darius Robinson, where he struggled with long-arm moves. Additionally, his pad level could use improvement, which may become a bigger issue at the NFL level than it has been in college.

A team that could be a perfect fit for Campbell is the New Orleans Saints. The Saints might look to replace Trevor Penning in the starting lineup next season, especially if Penning struggles like he did last year with a 49.0 pass-blocking grade from PFF and 19 pressures allowed. Drafting Campbell would enable the Saints to move 2023 first-round pick Taliese Fuaga to his natural right tackle position, while Campbell could slide into the left tackle spot and solidify the offensive line.

Five players to watch in Week 3

Jackson Woodard, OLB, UNLV

UNLV outside linebacker Jackson Woodard has already boosted his stock this season, earning Walter Camp Defensive Player of the Week honors after the Rebels' season-opening win against Houston. As UNLV prepares to face one of their toughest opponents, Kansas, tonight, they'll need a standout performance from Woodard if they hope to pull off the upset.

Tyler Van Dyke, QB, Wisconsin

Former Miami quarterback Tyler Van Dyke was once projected as a possible day two NFL Draft pick after being named ACC Rookie of the Year. However, injuries and inconsistent play have hampered his development. Now at Wisconsin, Van Dyke has been underwhelming in his first two games. If he wants to revive his draft chances, he must deliver a strong performance against Alabama this Saturday.

Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona

Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan has had a rollercoaster start to the season. After being named NFL Draft Notebook’s top performer in the season opener, he was limited to just 11 receiving yards on two catches in a narrow win over Northern Arizona last week. McMillan will need to bounce back this Saturday as the Wildcats face Kansas State in a key matchup that could position them as a top contender in the Big 12.

Kobe Singleton, CB, Oregon State

One of this week’s most intriguing games is the Civil War between Oregon and Oregon State. While Oregon is ranked ninth in the nation, they've had close calls against Idaho and Boise State. Oregon State, meanwhile, has dominated, winning each game by at least 21 points and shutting out San Diego State last week. To stifle Oregon’s offense, the Beavers will rely on cornerback Kobe Singleton, their top-rated defensive player, to lock down wide receiver Evan Stewart.

Riley Leonard, QB, Notre Dame

Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard has struggled with accuracy and footwork issues this season, as detailed in my recent article. This Saturday, Leonard will need to show improvement in those areas against Purdue, or Notre Dame risks falling to 1-2, which could crush their College Football Playoff hopes.

NFL Draft news and notes

Not living up to expectations: Like Riley Leonard, another quarterback who hasn't met expectations this season is Texas A&M's Conner Weigman. In the season opener against Notre Dame, he completed just 40 percent of his passes and threw two interceptions, as the Irish held the Aggies to only 13 points. While Weigman showed improvement last week against McNeese State, it's worth noting that he was pulled earlier than the rest of the first-team offense. The coaching staff wanted to give redshirt freshman Marcel Reed some snaps, possibly as a precaution in case Weigman struggles again when faced with tougher SEC competition.

Slot wide receiver to watch: Heading into the season, I singled out Miami’s Xavier Restrepo as the wide receiver I’d vouch for, and he’s proving why. In the season opener against Florida, Restrepo hauled in seven passes for 112 yards, consistently finding soft spots in zone coverage and showcasing impressive agility with yards after the catch. This last week, he averaged an outstanding 26 yards per catch against Florida A&M, demonstrating the grit and toughness you'd want from a slot receiver. Expect a team to get a steal when they draft Restrepo on day three of the 2025 NFL Draft.

"[Xavier Restrepo] was always really, really good. Right now, he's gone to a different level."

- Miami head coach Mario Cristobal

Small school gem: ShunDerrick Powell of Central Arkansas is emerging as a hidden gem in college football. His production speaks for itself, rushing for over 1,000 yards in each of the past two seasons and earning FCS All-American honors in 2022. Powell's ability to perform against higher-level competition is notable—he ran for 176 yards in the season opener against Arkansas State this year and averaged 5.9 yards per carry against Oklahoma State in 2022. He’s also a capable receiver, hauling in 20 receptions last season and already recording a 69-yard touchdown reception this year. Though not currently on major all-star game watch lists, Powell's continued performance could earn him a spot as a late-round pick or undrafted free agent next April.

Biggest question: One growing concern for Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders is his difficulty making plays under pressure. He's not the most agile athlete, and when the pocket collapses, he struggles to escape and pick up significant yardage with his legs. Additionally, Sanders has shown weaknesses in finding his outlet receivers or simply throwing the ball away when under duress. This issue was evident in Colorado’s recent game against Nebraska, where he was sacked five times. NFL coaches value quarterbacks who avoid making bad plays worse by holding onto the ball too long. If Sanders doesn’t address this and take on more of a leadership role, he risks slipping to day two of the NFL Draft.

Impact player: Miami defensive end Tyler Baron has already made a significant impact this season. The Tennessee transfer is currently second in the nation with 5.5 tackles for loss and four sacks. Notably, he recorded three sacks in just 27 snaps against Florida A&M, showcasing his ability to dominate in limited time. Standing at 6-foot-5 and weighing 260 pounds, Baron isn’t just a pass-rusher. He’s also a strong run defender, earning a 78.5 grade against the run from Pro Football Focus. His strong first punch and effective hand usage help him prevent offensive tackles from getting into his body.