The New England Patriots, holding the No. 4 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, are reportedly leaning toward selecting LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell, despite speculation around Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty. Below is a detailed response addressing the Patriots’ draft strategy, the scouting process behind Campbell, and the context of the Jeanty rumors, incorporating relevant insights from recent reports.
Patriots Set to Draft Will Campbell at No. 4, Prioritizing Offensive Line Over Flashy Jeanty
Foxborough, Mass. – With the 2025 NFL Draft kicking off on April 24 at Lambeau Field, the New England Patriots appear poised to make a pragmatic choice with their No. 4 overall pick, zeroing in on LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell. Amid buzz surrounding Boise State’s explosive running back Ashton Jeanty, NFL insiders indicate the Patriots, under head coach Mike Vrabel and general manager Eliot Wolf, are opting for the “sensible thing” by addressing their dire need for a left tackle to protect quarterback Drake Maye. The decision reflects a meticulous scouting process, a focus on long-term stability, and a calculated dismissal of concerns about Campbell’s arm length, positioning him as the cornerstone of New England’s rebuilding offensive line.
Scouting Campbell: A Methodical Journey to the Top Choice
The Patriots’ interest in Campbell began early in the 2024 college football season, as their scouting department, led by director of player personnel Matt Groh, targeted offensive linemen to bolster a unit that allowed pressure on 39.4% of dropbacks in 2024 – the worst in the NFL. Campbell, a 6’6”, 323-pound tackle from LSU, stood out during evaluations of SEC games, where he faced elite edge rushers and allowed only four sacks over three seasons as a starter. “Campbell’s tape against Alabama and Texas A&M was a masterclass in technique and power,” an NFC scout told ESPN, noting his ability to anchor against speed and bull rushes despite his 32⅝-inch arm length, shorter than the typical 33-inch NFL threshold.
The scouting process gained momentum at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine, where Campbell’s athleticism silenced doubters. Posting a 4.98-second 40-yard dash, a 34-inch vertical jump, and a 9.92 Relative Athletic Score (RAS) – ranking 15th among 1,508 offensive tackles since 1987 – Campbell proved his sub-33-inch arms did not hinder his explosiveness or agility. Patriots scouts, including Groh and offensive line coach Scott Peters, were reportedly in attendance, with Peters seen analyzing Campbell’s footwork during pass-protection drills. “He plays longer than his measurements,” NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah reported, echoing sentiments from New England’s war room. “The Patriots see him as a tackle, arm length be damned.”
A pivotal moment came during Campbell’s pre-draft visit to Gillette Stadium on March 26, 2025, one of 16 reported prospect visits hosted by the Patriots. During the visit, Campbell met with Vrabel, Wolf, and offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt, breaking down film of his matchups against Texas A&M’s Nic Scourton and Georgia’s Mykel Williams. Sources say Campbell impressed with his football IQ, explaining how he adjusted to stunts and twists at the line. “He’s a two-year captain at LSU, and that leadership jumped out,” a team insider told MassLive. “Vrabel loves his nastiness and work ethic – he’s a culture fit.” Campbell’s tour of the Patriots’ facilities, including a walkthrough of the locker room, was documented on his Instagram, signaling mutual interest.
The final push came from Vrabel, who has experience with shorter-armed linemen like Peter Skoronski from his Tennessee Titans tenure. Vrabel downplayed arm-length concerns in a February 2025 press conference, stating, “Tape and athleticism trump measurements. Campbell’s a tackle in our eyes.” Groh, who has a track record of prioritizing SEC talent (e.g., Christian Barmore in 2021), championed Campbell over other tackle prospects like Missouri’s Armand Membou, whose 33.5-inch arms offered a cleaner projection but lacked Campbell’s proven dominance in the SEC. “Groh and Vrabel were aligned early,” a source told CBS Boston. “Campbell’s been their guy since the fall.”
Jeanty Rumors: A Tempting but Unlikely Alternative
While Campbell emerged as the frontrunner, rumors of the Patriots targeting Ashton Jeanty at No. 4 gained traction, fueled by the running back’s electrifying 2024 season. Jeanty, the Maxwell and Doak Walker Award winner and Heisman Trophy runner-up, led the FBS with 2,497 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns, showcasing elite vision and explosiveness at 5’8”, 211 pounds. Posts on X and mock drafts, including one from NFL.com’s Chad Reuter, projected Jeanty to New England, citing Vrabel’s history with Derrick Henry and the need for a playmaker to aid Maye’s development. “Jeanty’s a home-run hitter who’d change the offense’s dynamic,” Reuter wrote.
However, the Jeanty buzz appears to be a mix of fan-driven hype and misinterpretation of the Patriots’ draft philosophy. Insiders, including ESPN’s Field Yates and The Athletic’s Dane Brugler, emphasize that New England’s priority is the offensive line, not a running back, given the position’s devalued market. “Taking Jeanty at No. 4, with a $8 million cap hit this season, doesn’t align with the value of a tackle like Campbell, who could anchor the line for a decade,” Brugler noted. The Patriots’ current running back depth, with Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson, further diminishes the need for Jeanty, despite his pre-draft visit to Foxborough. Posts on X also suggest internal debate, with some in the building “banging the table” for Jeanty or Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker, but Campbell remains the consensus
The Patriots’ scouting of Jeanty was thorough but likely a due-diligence exercise. Jeanty’s Senior Bowl performance, where he showcased receiving skills (42 catches, 611 yards in 2024), caught the eye of assistant coach Troy Brown, who coached the running backs at the event. However, no significant interactions between Jeanty and Vrabel or Wolf were reported, unlike Campbell’s extensive engagement. “Jeanty’s visit was about exploring all options,” a source told NESN. “But the focus has always been on fixing the line.”
Key Figures and Draft Strategy
The decision to target Campbell hinges on three key figures:
Matt Groh (Director of Player Personnel): Groh’s SEC-heavy scouting approach and trust in Campbell’s tape overrode concerns about arm length. His success with high-floor picks like Barmore and Marcus Jones bolsters confidence in his evaluation.
Mike Vrabel (Head Coach): Vrabel’s trench-first mentality, shaped by his time under Bill Belichick and Mike Mularkey, prioritizes linemen over skill players. His endorsement of Campbell as a “Vrabel guy” – tough, smart, and physical – sealed the pick.
Eliot Wolf (General Manager): Wolf, with final say on draft decisions, aligns with Groh and Vrabel, favoring a safe, high-floor pick like Campbell over riskier prospects like Jeanty or defensive standouts like Michigan’s Mason Graham.
The Patriots’ strategy assumes top prospects Cam Ward, Abdul Carter, and Travis Hunter will be off the board by No. 4, as projected by most mocks. If Carter or Hunter falls, New England might pivot to the best player available, but Campbell’s fit at a premium position makes him the default. “It’s about protecting Maye,” NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah said. “Campbell’s spot feels locked in.”
Why Campbell Over Jeanty?
Campbell’s selection addresses a critical need: stabilizing the left tackle position, vacant since Trent Brown’s departure. The Patriots’ 2024 signings of Morgan Moses (right tackle) and Garrett Bradbury (center) help, but Vederian Lowe and Caedan Wallace are unproven at left tackle. Campbell, with 38 starts at LSU, offers immediate stability and positional flexibility, with some scouts projecting All-Pro potential as a guard if tackle doesn’t pan out. His durability, leadership, and SEC pedigree align with New England’s rebuild around Maye.
Jeanty, while a dynamic talent, carries risks at No. 4. His $8 million rookie cap hit exceeds the annual value of most NFL running back contracts (e.g., Derrick Henry’s $8 million with Baltimore), and the Patriots can find value at the position later, with prospects like Georgia’s Trevor Etienne (a third-round target) or UCF’s RJ Harvey. “Campbell’s the foundation; Jeanty’s the luxury,” Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton wrote.
Looking Ahead
As draft week unfolds, the Patriots are unlikely to trade down, given Campbell’s availability at No. 4 and the risk of losing him to teams like the Chicago Bears at No. 10. A trade-up scenario, as floated in some mocks, is improbable unless Hunter or Carter slips. Campbell’s selection would mark a shift from the Patriots’ recent draft misses (e.g., N’Keal Harry) toward a focus on high-floor, high-need players. “He’s not flashy, but he’s what New England needs,” ESPN’s Matt Miller said.
For Patriots fans dreaming of Jeanty’s highlight-reel runs, the reality is a less glamorous but more essential pick. Campbell, if he lives up to his billing, could be the linchpin that keeps Maye upright and the offense moving forward. As Vrabel put it at the NFL League Meetings, “You win in the trenches. That’s where we’re starting.”