Patriots Might Leave Combine With More Questions Than They Had Upon Arrival

Entering the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine, it felt like Will Campbell and Mason Graham were in a two-horse race to be selected fourth overall by the Patriots.

There now might be more uncertainty.

It comes down to the fact that Campbell’s and Graham’s measurables — not to be confused with their on-field college tape — were a bit disappointing. Both Campbell’s length and Graham’s weight could have some questioning their draft standing.

In regards to Campbell, the LSU product, given his sub-33-inch arms and 77-inch wing span, worthy of the No. 4 pick? Would it be worth it for the Patriots to spend such a high draft selection on a college offensive tackle who might need to play guard in the NFL? Those questions will be asked inside and outside One Patriot Place.

There are six starting offensive tackles with arms less than 33 inches, like Campbell (32 5/8), per Patriots reporter Evan Lazar. The 33-inch benchmark is typically the accepted cutoff point for offensive tackles.

New England reportedly thinks highly of Campbell and views him as a tackle. Some of the league’s top draft analysts, including NFL Media’s Daniel Jeremiah and The Athletic’s Dan Brugler, view Campbell the same way.

Campbell’s athleticism — he ran a 4.98 40-yard dash and exceeded 20 miles per hour — gives him the ability to overcome a lack of length, experts say.

Regardless, there’s no denying Campbell would’ve benefited from 3/8 of an inch longer. The Patriots would’ve, too.

Then in regards to Graham, who was listed at 320 pounds during the season but weighed in at 296 pounds, is he heavy enough to handle 340-pound linemen at the next level? Is he long enough with his own 32-inch arms?

Graham’s weight ranks in the 26th percentile and his arms measure in the 12th percentile, per PFF’s Trevor Sikkema. Those aren’t great numbers.

Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel never had a sub-300-pound starting defensive tackle on a consistent basis, ESPN’s Mike Reiss wrote Sunday. Might it cause the Patriots to question how Graham could hold up at the next level? Or is it as simple as Graham putting on weight?

Nevertheless, there’s no denying Graham would’ve benefited from being closer to his listed playing weight. Such a discrepancy surely was a surprise.

The Patriots have time to answer such question with the 2025 NFL Draft still eight-plus weeks away. And there’s reason to believe their moves in NFL free agency will have a trickle-down effect on the draft, as well.

In an ideal world, however, Campbell would’ve eclipsed 33 inches and Graham would’ve weighed in closer to expectation.