Reporter, analysts address Patriots' Will Campbell, Armand Membou NFL Draft dilemma

The New England Patriots theoretically could shock the NFL community by making Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty the fourth overall pick of this year's draft, but it seems more likely as of the third Tuesday of April that New England will spend that asset on either LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell or Missouri offensive tackle Armand Membou.

On Tuesday, Patriots reporter Karen Guregian of MassLive shared why she believes Campbell will be the pick on April 24. 

"If (legendary offensive line coach and assistant head coach) Dante Scarnecchia isn’t bothered by Campbell’s arm length," Guregian explained, "that’s good enough for me. While the Patriots need to collect as much top-end talent as possible, they also need to protect Drake Maye. That’s numero uno on the priority list. The Patriots are one team that doesn’t seem freaked out by Campbell having less-than-desirable arm length for an NFL tackle."

Phil Perry of NBC Sports Boston mentioned for a piece published on March 7 that Scarnecchia feels the importance of arm measurements "is way overrated" as it pertains to offensive tackle play. Meanwhile, Pro Football Reference stats show that Maye ended the 2024 regular season with the league's fourth-highest sack percentage (9.14 percent) among quarterbacks who made a minimum of eight starts. 

Somewhat interestingly, ESPN's Matt Miller has Campbell ranked as the draft's third-best tackle behind Membou (No. 2) and Kelvin Banks Jr. of Texas. On Tuesday, The Athletic ranked only Membou ahead of Campbell among tackles who will be drafted later in April. 

Nevertheless, ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. and Field Yates agree that New England will take Campbell at selection No. 4. 

"I know a lot has been made of Campbell's sub-33-inch arm length," Kiper said, "but he has the footwork and pop to stick at left tackle and keep Pats quarterback Drake Maye clean." 

As of Tuesday afternoon, DraftKings Sportsbook listed Campbell as the betting favorite at -200 odds to be the fourth pick of the draft. Guregian expanded on why she and others are confident Campbell will be a member of the Patriots when he practices as a pro for the first time. 

"Campbell has all of the traits the Patriots are looking for in a starting-caliber tackle," Guregian said. "He’s athletic, plays with an edge, and at the college level, anyway, was considered the cream of the crop."