By now, we all know Mike Vrabel doesn’t care how long your arms are—he cares if you know how to throw a punch with ‘em. When asked about the Will Campbell‘s short arm length, Vrabel didn’t flinch. “The most important thing is how you use whatever length you have,” he said. “If you’re a long arm player that uses the length, then great… if you’re maybe an average-length player that doesn’t use the length, that would be difficult.” Translation? Vrabel’s not interested in tape measures—he wants maulers.
So, almost a month later now, they are floating Will to New England rumors. But maybe it’s more than just that. ESPN’s Mike Reiss says, “It could come as early as No. 4, with ESPN’s draft simulator widely anticipating that no linemen will be selected 1-3. LSU’s Will Campbell, who took a predraft visit to Gillette Stadium, projects as the most likely option in that scenario.”
But that’s not it. Per Reiss, Campbell is more Vrable-like in this class than any other player. “Some rival coaches and executives view him as a Vrabel-type player because of his toughness and high-end intangibles, with the only question if he fits better as a tackle (which he played exclusively in college) or guard (where some project him due to his 33-inch arm length as measured at LSU’s pro day).”
Will Campbell the most likely offensive tackle selected if the Patriots take a tackle at 4.
He is a “Vrabel type player”
Per: @MikeReiss
“It could come as early as No. 4, with ESPN’s draft simulator widely anticipating that no linemen will be selected 1-3. LSU’s Will… pic.twitter.com/2BthWtdrwi
— Savage (@SavageSports_) April 13, 2025
And that’s music to New England ears right now. Patriots fans have been chewing on this Campbell arm debate for weeks like it’s the last bag of chips at the draft party. The LSU left tackle came in at 32 5/8 inches during combine measurements—just shy of that 33-inch golden standard some scouts swear by.
Cue the internet declaring him a guard. Never mind that he handled SEC edge rushers for over 2,500 snaps at tackle. Suddenly, one eighth of an inch has people shifting him inside? Make it make sense. But Vrabel sees it differently. “I think you have to. I don’t understand how you can watch him play in the SEC… against guys that are going to get drafted… and not project him there.” No hypotheticals. Just watch the tape, he says. That’s the Vrabel gospel.
However, let’s face it: this team needs protection. They were leaking pressure like a cracked helmet last season, and it showed. If Drake Maye’s the future, they need to actually let him have one. By not letting the defenses be on his case, after a rookie season, where they sacked Drake 34 times. Yike! Campbell brings size, toughness, and just the right amount of mean streak. He fits the “Vrabel type” mold—high football IQ, nasty in the trenches, and ready to punch you in the mouth at the snap.
And it means it could kill any dream of landing Travis Hunter. Yeah, that stings a little. Hunter’s a unicorn—cornerback (36 tackles), wideout (15 TDs). But getting Will would be a smarter play. 1) Because the Pats know, that’s he’s likely gone in the top three. 2) Protection of Maye is priority.
Travis Hunter to the Patriots might not actually click
That is, if the top 3 (Titans, Browns, Giants) don’t find any space to add him. And that’d be some headline if they don’t, because Hunter is Hunter. Heisman winner. He plays both sides of the ball. But just because a guy can do it all doesn’t mean he should—especially in New England.
So, if he’s even up for grabs, Hunter might seem like the sexy pick. But there’s real football logic saying… maybe don’t. Now, if you ask Rob Gronkowski he’s already drawn up a different play. “You can do Travis Hunter… or you trade back, and you stack it up with a couple of guys. Maybe like Tetairoa McMillan… and then also you get an offensive tackle as well.”
Gronk’s basically running the Belichick trade-down playbook with Vrabel’s headset on. And look, McMillan isn’t just some rando from the Pac-12. He went off for 1,300+ yards and 10 touchdowns last season. You saw the 304-yard opener, right? That’s the kind of weapon Drake Maye needs to stretch the field—not just survive Sundays.
Julian Edelman’s got his stance too: “We gotta get some linemen.” That’s the vibe. The Patriots ranked dead last in receiving yards last season and couldn’t protect a drive to save their lives. Maye’s the franchise QB, not a crash test dummy. You give him a real line and real weapons—McMillan, an OT, like a Will Campbell—you’re building something.
Now it’s Vrabel’s call. The future of the Patriots might just hinge on whether they pick the highlight reel… or the blueprint.
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