Patriots
“There’s plenty there that we all saw and you say, ‘OK, that’s why he’s here.’”
Barring a late setback due to a nagging ankle injury, Will Campbell is set to make his NFL debut on Sunday as the Patriots’ starting left tackle.
There have been plenty of eyes on the No. 4 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, given Campbell’s pivotal role on New England’s offensive line, his lofty draft status, and the discourse regarding his physical traits and his ceiling as a true franchise tackle in the pro game.
But longtime Patriots offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia has been impressed with what he’s seen from New England’s new left tackle so far during training camp and preseason action.
“I love the motor that he has,” Scarnecchia told NBC Sports Boston’s Phil Perry on the “Next Pats” podcast. “He is a dynamic run blocker and a great finisher, all those things. He competes on every down. There’s plenty there that we all saw and you say, ‘OK, that’s why he’s here.’”
Even with Campbell’s body of work that he put forward during his collegiate career at LSU, the 6-foot-6, 319-pound offensive lineman’s viability as an elite NFL tackle has been called into question due to arm length — which measured less than 33 inches.
Even with those valid concerns about how Campbell can hold up in pass protection as explosive, lengthy edge rushers, Scarnecchia said that he hasn’t been concerned with any physical limitations regarding the rookie.
“I don’t think it has, honestly,” Scarnecchia said of any physical setbacks with Campbell’s arms. “I think that the technique — he’s got great feet, he bends very well, he’s quick to where he needs to be, to the junction point, getting there before the defensive guys get there, and it looks like he has improved his hand usage as it goes forward.”
“The length he has, he’s got to maximize it to the highest level possible. And I suspect that he will,” Scarnecchia added.
After some initial growing pains during training camp during 1-on-1 drills, Campbell seemed to settle into a groove during preseason action.
Through the first two weeks of preseason action (Campbell sat out New England’s preseason finale against the Giants), the rookie was the only NFL offensive tackle to receive a grade of 80 or higher from Pro Football Focus in both pass (80.1) and run blocking (87.6).
Still, Scarnecchia expects Campbell — like most NFL rookies — to go through his fair share of ups and downs during the 2025 season.
Campbell will have a tough test on Sunday against the Raiders, considering he’ll be tasked with protecting Drake Maye’s blind side while matched up against Maxx Crosby.
“He can be a dominant guy, but there’s so many of these guys that are just really, really skilled,” Scarnecchia said of the elevated competition that awaits Campbell in the NFL. “Even in the Southeast Conference, which is excellent, to come to this level and ‘OK, this guy’s a lot faster than some of the guys I’ve ever played against or (have) really great pass rush moves.’
“He’s practiced against everyday guys like (Keion) White and (Anfernee) Jennings and (K’Lavon) Chaisson. He’s seeing the kind of speed that he’s going to get. It’s just different when the lights are going to go on or that game is going to start on Sunday. It’s just different.”
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