Do you recall when teams questioned Rashawn Slater due to his alleged “short arms”? He’s now out there proving those concerns were about as useful as a parachute made of bricks. And not to mention when Aaron Rodgers was selected at number 24 because analysts suddenly became specialists in body language. Draft season is a wild ride packed with paranoia and excessive caffeine when a guy’s arm’s length can either make him or break him.

That brings us to Will Campbell, the most recent casualty of the Arms Length Agenda. But it goes beyond scouting phrases and wingspans. There is a long-standing link that might make New England his ideal destination.

Will Campbell of LSU recently travelled to Foxborough as part of a Top 30 visit. However, there is a major twist: he encountered Patriots offensive line coach Doug Marrone in an NFL setting. But this wasn’t their first encounter. Marrone had directly recruited Campbell in 2021 while he was coaching at Alabama. That’s correct—Marrone had already witnessed Campbell’s talent before he was selected in the first round of the NFL draft. That prior connection likely played a role in the Patriots’ interest, as Marrone had firsthand knowledge of Campbell’s skill set and work ethic. Now, their relationship has come full circle, with Marrone evaluating Campbell once again—only this time, at the pro level.

Foxborough (referred to as “Foxboro”) is the location of Gillette Stadium, the home field of the New England Patriots and New England Revolution (MLS). “Foxborough” is typically used to refer to the Patriots’ headquarters, which serves as the site of club facilities, training camps, and official visits for draft candidates in the NFL. The fact that Will Campbell visited Foxborough indicates that he went to the Patriots’ facilities at Gillette Stadium for a Top 30 visit, which is a pre-draft gathering attended by NFL teams to assess possible draft selections.

In addition to Will Campbell’s reunion with Doug Marrone during his visit to Foxborough, other Patriots plotlines are also developing. Ahead of the voluntary offseason program, Kayshon Boutte and DeMario “Pop” Douglas have already been spotted in the team’s facilities, demonstrating their dedication to making an impact in 2025. Returning as the offensive coordinator for the Patriots, Josh McDaniels views his year off as a boon because it has given him the opportunity to examine the game from a new angle.

And in the QB’s room, Ashton Grant and McDaniels seem inseparable, bonding over daily Dunkin’ runs—because the Patriots’ offence reportedly relies heavily on Dunkin’. In a touching moment, RB coach Tony Dews recalled his experience with Mike Vrabel, mentioning how the former Titans coach even came to his daughter’s high school basketball game to provide encouragement. With reunions, new beginnings, and planning sessions fuelled by caffeine, the Patriots’ offseason is already a flurry of activity.

Moreover, this gives the Patriots’ draft approach a fascinating twist. Marrone has a good understanding of Will Campbell’s abilities, work ethic, and potential because he aggressively sought him out as a top recruit rather than merely scouting him from a distance. Even though Campbell finally decided on LSU, Marrone’s early confidence in the lineman says a lot about his potential.

And Campbell, a 6’6″, 319-pound brick wall with 38 SEC starts at left tackle, is not your typical offensive lineman. Despite facing some of the top pass rushers in college football, he has only given up two sacks in almost 1,600 pass-blocking plays. The man neutralises threats rather than merely blocking them.

Plus, in the year 2025, the Patriots are once more facing a crucial draft selection. The board may force their hand because they have an obvious need to strengthen their offensive line and safeguard Drake Maye, their prospective franchise quarterback. By the time New England selects at No. 4, top defensive prospects Travis Hunter and Abdul Carter may have already left, leaving them to make the crucial decision of whether to trust Campbell in spite of the continuous arm-length controversy.

Will Campbell: The arm-length “controversy” & Doug Marrone’s verdict

How it all started: At the NFL Combine, Campbell’s arm length was 32 and 5/8 inches, and on LSU’s Pro Day, it was precisely 33 inches. And what is the NFL tackle’s “magic number”? 33 in. Anything below that, according to some scouts and traditional coaches, is a surefire “move him to guard” scenario. Campbell? He referred to the entire debate as “B.S.” And Doug Marrone seems to agree with him.

“I always look at it as: Do you play that way or do you play longer?” Marrone explained during a press conference at Gillette Stadium. “I’ve had guys with shorter arms who played like they had longer arms.” Translation? Technique and skill matter way more than a tape measure.

And analysts like Greg Cosell on The Ross Tucker Podcast have also contributed to the discussion around Campbell’s arm’s length. By addressing the issues while highlighting Campbell’s general skills. Although a few plays may occasionally draw attention to arm-length constraints, Cosell pointed out that Campbell’s balance, body control, and capacity to neutralise strong rushers greatly exceed those issues. “For the most part, he is really, really good. I mean, there’s not a lot of negative things to say about the way in which he plays.”

So, would the Patriots choose him in spite of the arm-length chitchat? New England is one of the teams that doesn’t give a damn about conventional wisdom. According to Marrone, the Patriots are prioritising real output over theoretical considerations, and Campbell has already shown that he is capable of competing.

And he may also benefit from his previous relationship with Marrone. Knowing a player’s talents, shortcomings, and mentality is very beneficial because NFL coaching staff don’t have much time to develop rookies. If Marrone had enough faith to recruit Campbell in 2021, it’s reasonable to assume he still sees him as a long-term answer on the line.

Draft analysts enjoy the arm-length argument, but if Campbell is selected and excels at tackle, this will be another instance of scouts overanalysing the situation. A lineman is needed by the Patriots. A very good one, Campbell. Additionally, Marrone’s prior relationship may be the deciding factor.