With the NFL Draft this Thursday, players around the league await their future with their respective teams as a new influx of younger, cost-controlled talent is jumping from college to the professional level. One player whose job security is up in the air is New England Patriots left tackle Vederian Lowe.
While the Pats’ front office has done a masterful job this offseason of improving on both sides of the ball after back-to-back four-win seasons, one clear remaining area of need is the left tackle position.
Last season, according to Pro Football Focus, Lowe appeared in 14 of the team’s 17 games and finished as the 69th-best tackle out of 81 eligible players. Vederian struggled to keep franchise quarterback Drake Maye upright, giving up 23 hits, five pressures, and five sacks.
The Pats must like the number four because after winning four games last season, they hold the fourth pick in the first round of this week's NFL Draft. This gives them an obvious chance to select junior left tackle Will Campbell from LSU.
During his three seasons in Baton Rouge, Campbell excelled against NFL-ready talent in the SEC. In his first year, he made the second-team All-SEC team and followed that up by making first-team All-SEC his sophomore and junior seasons. He was also named an AP All-American this past season.
The only knock on Campbell is that he has historically short arms and wingspan for a tackle. According to Evan Lazar, Campbell’s arm length was measured between 32 ⅝ and 33 inches. While this is on the shorter side for arm length, there are tackles around the 33-inch arm length who have succeeded, including current Detroit Lions All-Pro tackle Penei Sewell.
His wingspan, on the other hand, is the more concerning measurement. His 77 ⅜ inches measurement would make him the narrowest offensive tackle in the last 25 years.
Putting aside his concerning measurements, Campbell should have enough highlights on tape for New England brass to strongly consider drafting him to replace last season’s starter, Lowe.