We are almost a quarter of the way through the rookie season of Patriots No. 4 overall pick Will Campbell, and by most measures, he had been holding up well. There were times in training camp, no doubt, that there was angst about how Campbell would transition to the NFL, and of course, about the dreaded arm-length issue—he measured just under 33 inches at the combine, supposedly too short to play tackle—but none of that has shown itself through four weeks.
Campbell has rated a 64.3 grade from Pro Football Focus through four weeks, which ranks 28th among 70 tackles in the league (21st among tackles with at least 200 snaps). His run blocking, like that of all Patriots linemen, needs improving (64.3 grade), but his pass blocking has been better (69.7).
Campbell allowed a sack, three hurries and committed two penalties in his first game, but he has not allowed a sack since. He committed one penalty in Week 2, but none in Weeks 3 and 4. He allowed two hurries against a tough Steelers front in Week 3, but none in Weeks 2 and 4.
He has gotten demonstrably better with each game.
Will Campbell ‘Doesn’t Complain’
Teammate Jared Wilson, a rookie who has been handling the left guard spot next to Campbell, said he has enjoyed lining up next to him.
“I love Will,” Wilson said. “It’s really fun playing next to him, he has had a great four games. He brings good energy on the sideline and the field. It’s a great experience playing next to him.
“He’s just a guy that comes in, day in and day out, doesn’t complain. He comes to work. Same attitude every single day.”
Patriots’ Vrabel Has Praise
Coach Mike Vrabel has noticed as well, saying that Campbell approach to the job has keyed his ability to improve.
“Consistency,” Vrabel said. “For a young player, I think that there’s a really unique consistency, professionalism about the time that he shows up, the time that he goes and meets with the offensive line coaches, the time that he gets his treatment or lifts, the way that he studies and practices, and they just kind of keep building positive days on top of each other and then preparing for his matchups and his job on Sunday.”
Patriots Gamble Paying Off so Far: Analyst
Steve Palazzolo an NFL analyst who hosts the “Check the Mic” podcast, admitted in an appearance on the “Next Pats Podcast” that he questioned Campbell’s ability to succeed right away in the NFL, but said that it’s usually easy to tell quickly whether a rookie tackle is going to have a chance at being a good one.
And so far, so good for Campbell.
“There were some rookie tackles who had disastrous starts to their careers,” Palazzolo said. “I think if you’re a tackle and you’re at least average to solid, it’s very encouraging. The biggest question for Campbell was the arm length thing, which, it’s a real thing. It’s worth debating. … So, when he plays some better pass rushers, does he pass that test?
But I’ll say this: I’ve been very impressed with his ability to hold up so far at the NFL level, to anchor in pass protection. I think his movement skills and just overall technique in the run game is fantastic and will continue to grow, especially when him and (rookie left guard) Jared Wilson play more as the year goes on and Wilson’s healthy.”
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