New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye might have reason to be uneasy about his blindside protection early in the 2025 season.
After a rough year at left tackle in 2024, the Patriots addressed the issue by selecting LSU’s Will Campbell with the No. 4 overall pick in April. However, Campbell has had a rocky start to his NFL career, according to Chad Graff of The Athletic.
“All eyes are on him every practice, which is a tough spot for a rookie,” Graff noted. “So far, he’s shown flashes, especially in run blocking, but he’s struggled in pass protection. He’s given up a sack in nearly every full-team session — despite playing just 15 or so passing snaps each time.”
One of Campbell’s key issues is overcommitting to the outside and getting beat inside — a problem made worse by the Patriots’ uncertainty at left guard. Graff pointed out that, if extrapolated over a full game, Campbell’s current pace would equate to allowing around two sacks per contest, assuming 30 pass attempts — a troubling rate.
While Graff still sees long-term potential for Campbell, he doesn’t expect him to rank among the league’s top 20 left tackles this year. Scouts raised concerns prior to the draft about Campbell’s arm length — measured at either 32⅝ or 33 inches — and some projected he might be a better fit at guard.
If the pass-protection issues continue, New England could consider shifting the 21-year-old inside. For now, per OurLads, Campbell remains the favorite to start at left tackle in Week 1. But if he doesn’t make strides during the preseason, it could hamper Maye’s early development as a pocket passer.
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