During a joint practice session against the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday, New England Patriots rookie offensive tackle Will Campbell had difficulty protecting the blind side of quarterback Drake Maye, drawing attention on social media. Campbell’s struggle came as Jonathan Greenard, a seasoned defender entering his sixth <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/football/nfl/”>NFL season, successfully pressured Maye, highlighting the challenge of maintaining strong Drake Maye blind side protection.
Fans responded quickly online, with one remarking,
“He’s a rookie. There will be growing pains,”
while another commented, “Lmao it’s one rep….” Another fan added,
“I mean its not like hes never gonna get beaten,”
underscoring the reality rookies face when adjusting to pro-level competition.
Campbell’s College Reputation and Early NFL Expectations
Will Campbell, a Consensus All-American from LSU, entered the NFL as the highest lineman selected in April’s draft, picked fourth overall. This made him the first LSU offensive lineman taken in the first round since Alan Faneca in 1998. Campell has the important task of protecting Maye, who was sacked 34 times in his rookie season. However, in the Patriots’ recent preseason win over the Washington Commanders, Maye remained unpressed, completing three of five passes for 12 yards in limited snaps without being sacked.
Despite the setback during practice, Campbell is expected to develop into a star blocker in both pass and run plays, tasked with improving the protection around Maye, especially given the high sack count earlier in Maye’s rookie campaign.
Facing a Pro Bowler: The Challenge of Going Against Jonathan Greenard
On the play where Campbell struggled, he was matched against Jonathan Greenard, who has recorded at least 12 sacks in each of his last two seasons. Greenard, recently named a Pro Bowler for 2024, is widely considered one of the NFL’s top pass rushers, with many believing he deserved All-Pro honors the prior year. His experience and skill make him a difficult opponent for any lineman, especially a rookie like Campbell.
Campbell’s Progress and Positive Impressions at Training Camp
Despite the challenge against Greenard, Campbell has impressed during Patriots training camp by holding the starting left tackle position and adapting quickly to a role some doubted he could fill. According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz,
“One team source raved his football IQ is ‘through the roof… he processes so fast and already thinks like a veteran. He has the type of football character you wanna build your program around.’”
In the preseason game against the Commanders, Campbell played 14 offensive snaps, allowing no quarterback pressures, and earned an 85.4 pass-blocking grade from PFF over eight pass blocking snaps. His transition from college standout to NFL starter appears to be progressing well, showing promising development on the blind side of Drake Maye.
Historical Context and Future Outlook for Campbell at Left Tackle
Campbell’s selection marks a significant milestone for the Patriots, as he was their first top-10 draft pick since John Hannah in 1974. His ability to protect the quarterback’s blind side will be a key factor in Maye’s success and the team’s offensive performance moving forward. As Campbell gains experience facing high-level defenders like Greenard, his consistency and growth will be critical in reducing quarterback sacks and improving overall offensive stability.
Going forward, Campbell’s performance in practice and preseason games will shape his role in the regular season, with fans and analysts watching closely to see how he handles the speed and power of NFL pass rushers, and how effectively he continues to contribute to Drake Maye blind side protection.