This NFL Comp Might Make Patriots Fans Feel Better About Will Campbell

If the Patriots do what most expect them to do and draft Will Campbell with the No. 4 overall pick, it’s unlikely they’ll be getting a Hall of Fame tackle.

NFL insiders and draft experts think Campbell is the best offensive lineman available in the draft, but it’s not an exceptionally great draft at the position. It’s unlikely Campbell — or any other lineman drafted this weekend — turns into the next Trent Williams or Jordan Mailata.

That’s not to say he can’t be an effective NFL player right away, though. According to some draft-week information gathering, there’s one current offensive lineman we can point to right now and set some expectations for what Campbell might do at the next level.

Both The Athletic and Sports Illustrated cited sources in pieces Monday comparing Campbell to Los Angeles Chargers tackle Rashawn Slater.

“You wish his arms were a little longer. But if you look up Slater, he’s the same, and no one said anything,” an offensive coordinator told The Athletic. “Put the tape on. He’s a tough SOB and everybody at LSU raves about the kid.”

A general manager made a similar point to SI’s Albert Breer.

“One GM told me he thinks there are similarities in Campbell to Los Angeles Chargers left tackle Rashawn Slater, who was projected by many to be a guard, but proved athletic and technically sound enough to stay at his college position,” Breer wrote, also mentioning another person in the know compared him to longtime Cowboys stud Zack Martin.

Drafting someone on the level of Slater would be a win for the Patriots, especially how the draft is playing out and the concerns about some of Campbell’s tangibles (namely, arm length). The Chargers took Slater at No. 13 in 2021. The only other offensive lineman drafted ahead of him was Detroit’s Penei Sewell.

Pro Football Focus ranked Slater, who missed most of the 2022 season with an injury, as their No. 9 offensive tackle entering the 2024 season. Slater had another great season in 2024, arguably the best of his career. In fact, his PFF pass-block rating was the best of his career, and he allowed just two sacks all season while protecting Justin Herbert’s blind side.