Patriots’ Will Campbell Selection About Value Beyond On-Field Play

FOXBORO, Mass. — Will Campbell looked like he belonged at Gillette Stadium on Friday.

The New England Patriots continued their tradition of introducing their top selection in front of the media, with the young offensive lineman getting his moment in the sun before the organization got back to business on the 2025 NFL Draft.

Robert Kraft and Jonathan Kraft were on hand, and though the physical differences were striking when they walked alongside him, the kid fit right in. Campbell displayed confidence, had a real swagger about him and looked worthy of being selected at No. 4

Do we truly believe that, though?

Campbell is a flawed prospect. New England ignored some pretty major warning signs when placing the weight of the world on his shoulders, and unfortunately for the rookie, the only way he can reach the expectations that are being placed on him is to become one of the biggest historical outliers in franchise history.

The Patriots, based on historical precedent and everything we’ve seen from guys with his deficiencies, took a major risk on the player.

I do not doubt that they got the right person, though.

Campbell’s arrival has drawn mostly positive reviews, but those of us who are cautiously optimistic can’t shake the fact that there’s never been a prospect like him to stick at left tackle. It’s just not, or at least hasn’t been, possible for someone with a hugely undersized wingspan to find success at that position.

I spoke about it before, during and after his selection, but as we move further away from it, it’s starting to become clear that the decision to go with Campbell had just as much to do with his off-field value as it did his on-field value.

We just talked about his confidence, but you have to see and hear how he views his role in the organization to truly understand how special a person he could be for the franchise. Campbell is the type of guy who has been knocked down for three straight months but showed up to One Patriot Place with a few team goals in mind.

“The biggest thing for me was, I wanted to play for an organization that had history, that cared, that wants to win,” Campbell said. “That’s the thing for me. I wanna come in and I wanna win, and I’m gonna do whatever it takes to help the team win… Coach Vrabel is a guy that I wanna play for. This is an organization — the proof is in the pudding with this place. And that’s something that I wanna be a part of. So for me to be able to represent this organization, wear that logo on the side of my helmet and on the front of my jersey, it’s everything I could ever ask for.”

Yes, that could very well be telling people what they want to hear, but what about his answer to questions about having to compete to stay at left tackle?

“It’s a pretty cool opportunity to have. I’m just super thankful for them giving me this opportunity, them believing in me,” Campbell said. “I’m super excited for what the future holds here, and I really just can’t wait to get back out here after today and get back to work.”

It’s an opportunity, not a given.

I’d be willing to bet pretty decent money that he’ll eventually be forced to slide inside. You just can’t expect someone to be a one-of-a-kind, transcendent talent. It isn’t fair to the player or the team, but that isn’t a problem for this player or this team.

Mike Vrabel married himself to Campbell, so if it doesn’t work out, it’ll look bad for both of them.

Do you think that duo will allow this thing not to work out? Vrabel would just move him inside and enjoy having one of the better young guards in the NFL. Campbell would do it with no questions asked, then make the transition as smoothly as possible. Is that a guarantee? No, but it feels like a decent bet considering everything we have heard and seen.

The Patriots weren’t going to be playing in Super Bowl LX no matter who they took at No. 4, so they stood pat and selected a person they could trust to be a leader on and off the field — even if it isn’t at left tackle.

I might not have made the same pick, but I can get down with that.