Mike Vrabel Answers Prominent Question After Will Campbell Selection

FOXBORO, Mass. — The debate about Will Campbell’s arm length and whether he can successfully play left tackle in the NFL didn’t end when the New England Patriots drafted him fourth overall Thursday night.

It really has only just begun.

Campbell’s arm length, which measured 32 5/8 inches at the NFL Scouting Combine and 33 inches at his pro day, is viewed by some as an issue to try to stop elite pass-rushers from getting to the quarterback.

The Patriots clearly don’t see it that way and head coach Mike Vrabel wasn’t budging one bit from calling the 6-foot-6, 319-pound LSU product anything other than a left tackle.

“That’s where he started. He’s a left tackle. That’s what he’s played, that’s what he’s done,” Vrabel said. “He’ll come in here and he’ll compete to be the left tackle just like everybody else is going to compete for their spots. That’s what we’re trying to create here, somewhere that there’s competition at every position and that our players believe that the best players are going to play.”

Drafting Campbell, who has been outspoken regarding the criticism over his arm length, addressed New England’s biggest area of need as the Patriots have failed to adequately protect the quarterback in recent seasons.

But, just like every draft pick, there is risk involved and Campbell’s selection is magnified given how high the Patriots took him.

Some NFL draft pundits believe that Campbell won’t work out well as a left tackle and will need to be moved to guard. Guards aren’t usually taken with the fourth overall pick and Vrabel was asked if that happens, will it be a miscalculation on the Patriots’ part.

“I think that what we’re focused on is where he’s going to be tomorrow and the next day and not what the misevaluation is,” Vrabel said. “We coveted this player. This was a very good football player. I think part of the draft is adding great pieces and great players to your roster, which is what we did. He hasn’t even shown up here in Foxboro, and we’re not going to talk about where he’s going to play or what he’s going to do. I’m going to let everything really speak for itself, and let his play, what he does in the community and most importantly on the field, before we start talking about that.

“I just think that’s not fair. I’ve never thought about that one time. We’ve watched every game that he’s played, put a lot of work into this, and we’re all excited and happy that he’s here.”