Besides the start of the NFL season, this is the most wonderful time of the year for football fans. The combine gave fans an introduction to the upcoming draft prospects that could potentially be selected by their team.
The New England Patriots have the fourth overall pick, and they need to acquire help on both sides of the ball. Offensive line and edge rusher are two of the biggest needs for the Patriots, followed by wide receiver and cornerback.
Building around Drake Maye is the focal point this offseason, and the Patriots need to acquire talent to elevate Maye’s game and lay the foundation of the team for years to come.
Round 1 Pick 4: Will Campbell, OT, LSU
The Patriots allowed the fifth most sacks (52) last season. Both Maye and Jacoby Brissett were running for their lives with the terrible offensive line play, and each quarterback took vicious hits last season.
Inserting Will Campbell at left tackle is one step in the right direction in fixing the problem. Campbell was a three-year starting left tackle for the LSU Tigers, allowing just two sacks in his last two seasons in the SEC, which is considered to be the best conference in college football.
Lance Zierlein of NFL.com noted Campbell’s experience against NFL-caliber pass rushers, which the Patriots need in a young offensive lineman. At 6 ’6”, 319 pounds, he has the physical frame of playing tackle, but his 32 ⅝ inch arm length raises concerns if he should remain at tackle or move to guard.
Although Campbell’s arm length measurements fall short of an ideal tackle, the Patriots still view him as a tackle per Mark Daniels of MassLive.
"While LSU offensive linemen Will Campbell’s NFL position has been hotly debated, the Patriots see him as a tackle – arm measurements be damned."Mark Daniels, MassLive
The Patriots desperately need help at offensive line and I believe drafting Campbell is a step in the right direction. He’ll be able to slide in at starting left tackle right away and help protect Maye’s blind side
Round 2 Pick 38: Landon Jackson, EDGE, Arkansas
The Patriots finished last in sacks (28) and 29th in pressure rate (17.6%) this past season. By trading Matthew Judon last summer, the Patriots weren’t able to consistently apply pressure to opposing quarterbacks.
Insert Landon Jackson, a 6’7”, 280-pound edge rusher out of Arkansas. Jackson finished his senior season with six and a half sacks, ten tackles for loss, and one forced fumble. His combine performance has made him a rising name in the draft, posting a 4.68 forty-yard dash and a 40 ½ inch vertical jump.
Draft expert Matt Miller of ESPN described the rise of Jackson as being because he’s “a power player on tape”, which the Patriots defensive line needs. Pairing him opposite of Keion White on the edge would be a great move for the Patriots, who need to generate more pressure on quarterbacks in 2025.