The upcoming NFL draft serves as a valuable tool for teams facing urgent needs at various positions. For the Patriots, the most pressing need is at the left tackle position. Last season, the Patriots’ offensive line performed the worst in football, ranking last in pass-blocking win rate (51%) and second-to-last in run-blocking win rate (67%). But the new head coach, Mike Vrabel, is looking for serious redemption in the offense. He won’t be able to do that without solidifying their left tackle scarcity. They need to fiercely protect the blindside for QB Drake Maye. LSU’s Will Campbell seems to be the perfect answer for their cry. The way he safeguarded Jayden Daniels and Garret Nussmeier is a big lure for the Pats. But wait, they seem to have a larger fish waiting in the pond as the stock shakes up big time.

Campbell’s arm length will be a solid asset to the Patriots if they can manage to swoop him in. He’s enough to overwhelm the pass rushers with his hand talent, providing necessary protection to Maye. He is arguably the safest zone for Mike Vrabel unless and until either Travis Hunter or Abdul Carter surprisingly falls down to No. 4. But then comes Missouri Armand Membou.

While he might not be the left tackle pro at this point in time. However, ESPN’s Matt Miller has a solid argument while addressing the latest Membou-Campbell debate. “I’ve heard talk that Missouri’s Armand Membou could be the first offensive lineman taken, before LSU’s Will Campbell. The right tackle prospect has received rave reviews from scouts because of his elite movement skills and power in the run game. There’s a belief that his agility could allow him to move to left tackle in the pros, which would put him in play for the Patriots at No. 4 overall,” Miller wrote in an article published on April 17th.

If you’re keen to take on a super athletic tackle, there can be no replacement for Membou. The 20-year-old’s robust physique allows him to produce the best at the position. He helped the Mizzou offense accumulate 2,138 rushing and 2,926 passing yards in the year 2024. His unique pass-protection techniques can make the defenders lose sleep. At the NFL Combine, Membou stunned the scouts with an impressive 4.91 40 time and top speed of 20.28 miles per hour. Both numbers marked the fastest among any offensive tackle in contention since 2003.

However, nobody comes without some built-in loopholes. For the LSU tackle, his extra body mass (330 pounds) might seem to be a perfect fit for the guard position, while his length (6 ft 4) supports the tackle. He can look a bit meek while dealing with power in pass protection. Once he takes the wheel in the O-line, he can work on these shortcomings. But regardless of the threat, it’s still Campbell who holds the betting odds in his favor.

Will Campbell remains the top choice for the Patriots 

DraftKings Sportsbook keeps hyping up Campbell as the betting favorite at -225 odds to be the Patriots’ fourth pick. NFL analyst Todd McShay seconded the math in his latest prediction. He didn’t have Campbell as a sure-shot pick but said the Patriots can’t whip around. So, taking Campbell as the major O-line backup looks the most feasible at this point. They need a premium guy, a guy they can count on during the dire hours. Campbell fits the belt.

Some controversies swirl over Campbell’s arm length — which measured 32 5/8 inches at the Combine but 33 inches at LSU’s pro day. Some linked it with the idea of turning guard at the pro level. But the OT didn’t think so. He is fiercely confident that he will do great as the tackle. Is he a done deal? McShay not only gave the nod but also kept him on a pedestal, saying he’s “one of the cleanest prospects in the entire draft” and someone the Patriots would be lucky to get access to with the fourth overall pick.

“I think teams are looking at it — the Patriots specifically — trying to get some leadership in that offensive line room, with their star quarterback, trying to develop him, in Drake Maye,” said McShay. “That like, ‘All right, maybe we don’t get a superstar here, but we’re going to sleep really well Thursday night going into Friday of the draft knowing that we got a guy that’s going to be ready to play and is going to bring a lot of leadership to this organization.'”

It will be interesting to see if Membou can beat the unprecedented fate of the LSU OT, taking a wild card entry last minute or not.