Mike Vrabel’s Top Draft Prospect Takes Drastic Step as Drake Maye Sends Clear Message to Patriots

The hearsay is that the Pats’ organization wants to go all-in on Will Campbell. After all, what New England’s O-line put on tape last season, they might as well roll out a red carpet for him. The Patriots’ front five got worked 52 times, with Drake Maye picking himself up off the turf on 32 of those occasions. Compare that to LSU, where Campbell anchored a unit that gave up just 15 sacks all season. So, of course, Mike Vrabel is looking in his direction.

A human wall like Campbell could keep Maye upright long enough to, you know, actually throw the football.

But here’s where things get interesting. ESPN’s Jordan Reid dropped a nugget that’s got draft circles chatting—Campbell skipped LSU’s Pro Day. Yep, the projected first-rounder decided he doesn’t wanna do it all over again after the NFL Combine. No additional drills. No extra workouts. Just banking on what he already put on tape and in workouts.

Bold move? Maybe. But it’s got the Patriots and a few other tackle-needy teams, reassessing their draft boards.

But hey, that doesn’t stop him from getting those pro-day advantages on the arm measurements. The controversial topic so far, leading up to the draft day. At the Combine, Campbell’s arm length came in at 32 5/8 inches—just short of the NFL’s preferred 33-inch threshold for tackles. Cue the armchair GMs and their spreadsheets, questioning if he’s built for the outside or better suited inside at guard.

But wait—LSU’s Pro Day numbers had him at 33 inches exactly. Home-field advantage? Some might think so, but NFL scouts took the measurements. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler even pointed out that multiple linemen measured longer at their Pro Days than at the Combine. So, what gives?

This is where Vrabel’s perspective comes in, and honestly, it’s a refreshing take. “I think arm length is good only up until the point to where you use it, right?” Vrabel said. Translation: It’s not just about inches—it’s about technique. You can have the longest arms in the draft, but if you don’t use them right, they’re just extra real estate.

Meanwhile, Campbell’s film shows a guy who knows how to leverage his strength, regardless of what a tape measure says.

So, does New England still see him as a tackle, or is this enough of a concern to pivot elsewhere? They hold the fourth overall pick, and Campbell is right in the conversation alongside Missouri’s Armand Membou. The Patriots desperately need to play their cards around Maye’s protection because he showed in spurts that he’s got the arms and just needs better cover.

As for Will, there’s very little chance his decision to opt out of pro day affects his chances of landing in Foxborough.

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