Campbell also mentioned he talked with the Patriots “a lot” in the pre-draft process.
When the New England Patriots are on the clock at No. 4 overall on Thursday night, Will Campbell is a definitive player to look out for. A 38-game starter at left tackle at LSU, he is arguably the best offensive lineman in this year’s draft.
The argument for why the Patriots should draft him is an easy one, despite questions about his length and whether or not he best projects as a guard rather than a tackle in the NFL. Not only is he a supremely talented player who would he fill the biggest need on their roster, he also projects as an A-plus locker room addition.
Or, as Campbell himself put it on SiriusXM NFL Radio, he will is confident in his ability to be “a difference maker on and off the field.”
“My play speaks for itself, but the stuff that goes on behind closed doors that nobody else sees is on a different level than, I feel like, everybody else,” he told hosts Bill Lekas and Geoff Schwartz. “I’ve been able to come into a locker room at a young age, as an 18-year old true freshman, and gain the respect of veteran players who have been on National Championship teams by my work ethic, the way that I approach every day, the way that I handle my business on and off the field.
“I’m going to push the guy next to me to be the best he can be. I’m going to be a leader in the offensive line room and on the team, and just be the best teammate that I possibly can be and just give everything I can to the organization that drafts me.”
There has been plenty of speculation that the organization that is going to draft him will be the Patriots. When asked about the team’s interest, Campbell was quick to praise the its coaching staff and to confirm that the two sides have had plenty of contact leading up to the draft.
The 21-year-old was one of only three confirmed offensive tackles to visit Gillette Stadium over the last month.
“They have a great staff. I’ve had a chance to talk with them a lot,” he said.
“I’m just excited for whatever opportunity I get, whether that’s them or whoever it might be. I’m just looking forward to knowing where I’m going to be. Obviously, I don’t really know anything yet. They know more than I do, so I’m really just waiting until Thursday night to know more.”