Can New England Patriots offensive lineman Will Campbell prove he is the franchise left tackle the team believed he could be when they selected him No. 4 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft? That question has become even more important after the Patriots used another premium draft pick on left tackle Caleb Lomu in 2026.
When looking at the top players from the 2025 NFL Draft class who will have the most pressure on them to make a Year 2 leap, the Patriots left tackle will have a huge spotlight on him, especially with the team using their top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on Lomu.
Should Campbell be looking over his shoulder?
Will Campbell must prove he is the Patriots' long-term answer at left tackle
While starting positions aren’t guaranteed in the NFL, Campbell’s body of work prior to suffering a knee injury in Week 12 should be the foundation of his Year 2 improvement. That isn't to discount his lackluster performance once returning from the injury, particularly through the team’s playoff run when Campbell was really exposed, but he may have come back from injury too soon which influenced his technique when going up against some of the best pass rushers in the league like Will Anderson Jr, Danielle Hunter and that Seattle Seahawks defensive line that ran through and around him to make Drake Maye uneasy in the pocket.
While Lomu is expected to begin his career on the right side behind veteran Morgan Moses, the Patriots didn't draft him that high simply to be a reserve. If Campbell struggles to solidify himself at left tackle, Lomu has the talent to eventually take over that role, with Campbell potentially sliding inside to guard, a position many draft evaluators projected as his best NFL fit entering the draft.
That's where Campbell's mental toughness becomes critical. He can't allow the struggles he experienced late last season to affect his confidence heading into Year 2. He has gone up against great pass rushers in the NFL and has held his own for the most part. He has worked with some of the top tackles in the league to improve his technique, as Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel outlined, it’s all about his self-confidence and how he matures going into training camp.
The Patriots believe Will Campbell's biggest growth will be mental
"I think just maturity," Vrabel said about the kind of growth he has seen from Campbell. "I think he's studying the game. He's trying different things. Spring is the time to try things. The quarterback's not going to get hit, the touchdowns don't count, we talked about that earlier. So, he's working on different sets, working on different techniques."
As far as Campbell getting exposed during the tail end of the season once he returned and throughout the playoffs, the head coach went on to say that Campbell must work on his secondary response after initial contact with a defender. How quickly can he correct his technique when he appears to be beaten from the snap?
“I think at the line of scrimmage, it's so much not the first technique, but it's the secondary response,” Vrabel said. “Both guys aren't going to have their hands inside. The D-lineman isn't going to have their hands inside and the offensive lineman. So, somebody's going to have to do something to change that, to get back in the correct position. I think he's worked hard, conditioning, pushing himself and pushing that group.”
Campbell’s improvement will be studied throughout camp and into the regular season, because the position is an essential part of how good the offense can be. With the addition of A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs as playmakers, giving Maye the time to throw will be essential. Opposing defenses will challenge the technique and mental toughness of Campbell. If he holds up, the Patriots could have one of the top offensive lines in the NFL.
In all, Campbell doesn't need to become an All-Pro overnight. He simply needs to prove the Patriots were right to believe he can anchor the left side of their offensive line for years to come. If he does, New England could have one of the league's best young tackle combinations in Campbell and Lomu. If he doesn't, the succession plan is already waiting in the wings.
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