How Patriots’ Will Campbell Responded To Preseason Debut

Will Campbell isn’t patting himself on the back following an encouraging start to the preseason.

The New England Patriots cruised to a 48-18 victory over the Washington Commanders on Friday. Campbell helped fuel the ground game with some highlight blocks, but the rookie left tackle sees room for improvement.

New England’s No. 4 pick discussed his preseason performance at Sunday’s practice, per WEEI’s Tom Carroll.

“I just feel like I got to get better. We have to get better as a team,” Campbell said. “There’s still a lot of meat left on the bone. No matter what really happened on the scoreboard, I feel like this team — we even have a lot more that we can do.”

Pro Football Focus gave Campbell a strong 85.4 grade in his limited action. Although credited for not allowing any pressures, the Commanders attacked Drake Maye’s blindside for a strip sack that ended the Patriots’ opening drive.

New England gained 37 rushing yards on the ensuing series, which culminated in Maye scrambling into the end zone. Campbell’s run-blocking stood out at Gillette Stadium, but the 21-year-old is more focused on cleaning up miscues than celebrating a successful play.

“After you do it, you kind of have to get up, put it behind you and go to the next play. Leave it all behind, ” Campbell said. “It can be a good play. If you have 60 plays in a game, 59 of them can be good, one bad can ruin a night. Don’t get too high, don’t get too low. Just try to put your best foot forward every play.”

Campbell may grade himself on a harsher scale than PFF and fans, but he and rookie left guard Jared Wilson have quickly shown the potential to protect Maye for the foreseeable future. Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel commended their intensity after the game, per ESPN’s Mike Reiss.

“I certainly did see their play demeanor kind of stand out,” Vrabel said. “That’s a good place to start — being downfield, finishing through the whistle. We embrace that here.”

Campbell could receive more reps in New England’s next preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday.