I’m still picking through the edge class, which I would identify as the Pats’ top need at this point. But in the meantime, I wanted to identify other areas the team could target in the draft. That led me to the offensive tackle position. It wasn’t hard. A) I have two eyes, and b) Eliot Wolf talked about the future of the position when speaking at the scouting combine back in February.
“Is offensive tackle a need? Vederian (Lowe) is a free agent (editor’s note: signed with San Fran). Thayer (Munford) is a free agent, and Morgan (Moses) is 35 years old,” Wolf said. “He played awesome this year, but he’s 35 years old. So, tackle would be a need for our team.”
Sound logic. Will Campbell wasn’t mentioned there, but he has the strong backing of Mike Vrabel, and Wolf was – dare I say – attitudinal when his most recent first-round pick came up in conversation the past week (question was a touch aggressive).
“We know who the free agents are going to be at left tackle,” Wolf said. “We know who’s in the draft at left tackle. We know that we’re picking 31st, and again, if there’s somebody who is a better left tackle than Will Campbell that’s available, we’ll look at anything. Just not sure how realistic that is at this time.”
Bottom line, right or wrong (or somewhere in between), the Pats believe Campbell will be better in year two, and the idea of using a high pick on that spot – when there are more pressing concerns in their mind – would be a waste of resources. I, too, feel Campbell will be more prepared for what’s ahead. At the end of 2026-27, if he’s not taken the proper step forward, then you address it. Until then? This is the hill you put yourself on by drafting the kid #4 overall.
Once again, there are several prospects who are viewed as better long-term on the interior. Beauty will be in the eye of the beholder.
TIER ONE: Spencer Fano, Utah; Francis Mauigoa, Miami; Monroe Freeling, Georgia.
Freeling is the only truly projectable
