Following a horrendous 2024 campaign that saw them go 4-13, finish in fourth place in the AFC East and fire their head coach after just one year, the New England Patriots received the fourth-overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft.
On Thursday, New England addressed one of their biggest needs and used their first-round selection on LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell.
The 21-year-old was clearly fired up after the selection, but it didn't take long for internet to start roasting the newest Patriot for his biggest weakness, short arms.
Number 1 in our hearts, number 4 in the draft, and that adds up to half his arm length. Congratulations! #ForeverLSU @will_campbell66 💜💛 pic.twitter.com/t46VdTvJPf
— Scott Deis (@LSU_Yetti) April 25, 2025
That pinstripe suit is not flattering for the length of Will Campbell's arms... pic.twitter.com/7HqIYv6C6S
— Dan Fetes (@danfetes) April 25, 2025
From a short guy to a guy with short arms: Good luck, Will Campbell on your NFL career. pic.twitter.com/VZlgefy38H
— Christopher Smith (@SmittyOnMLB) April 25, 2025
Campbell's arm length was measured at 32 ⅝ inches, but most scouts and NFL decision-makers usually lean to lineman with at least 34-inch arms.
It's not something new for Campbell. He's heard the same thing his whole career. On Thursday, he explained that when he arrived at LSU, they believed that he could be destined for a move inside to guard.
However, he was named the starting offensive tackle as a true freshman and never looked back. He went on to start 37 games over his three seasons with the Tigers, earning All-SEC honors three times and All-American honors once. He also was awarded the Jacobs Blocking Trophy in 2024 which is given to the best blocker in the conference.
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New Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel spoke at length about Campbell after the selection, and he seemed to give New England's newest addition a vote of confidence heading into his rookie season.
“Everybody had a play style, everyone had a skill set," Vrabel said. "It’s what you do within that skill set, the tricks that you learn, and how you play and how you do your job. I think he’s learned a lot of those to play on the left side.”
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If the shorter arms are good enough for Vrabel, then they should be good enough for everyone. Now, Campbell will just have to prove himself and keep the pressure off of Drake Maye.
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