
Photo by Jonathan Mailhes
Former LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell is expected to be a top ten pick in the NFL draft, but some question whether he can play tackle in the NFL because of his short arms. He measured 32 5/8 inches at the NFL draft combine on Sunday. NFL teams prefer tackles with 34- or 35-inch arms.
Campbell is confident he can play offensive tackle in the NFL.
“You can look at my tape, there’s not one play on there that when I get beat, you say that it’s because he has shorter arms, obviously I don’t have stereotypical offensive tackle arms, but I am aware of that, but that’s part of my game plan on how to attack different defenders” Campbell said.
If Campbell can’t cut it at offensive tackle, NFL scouts believe he could be an outstanding guard.
Campbell was a three-year starter at offensive tackle at LSU. In his final 30 games, he allowed only two sacks.
“I’ve been able to play in the best conference in college football, at the highest level, for three years and I feel like that separated me from everybody else, a three-year starter in the SEC, it speaks for itself,” Campbell said.
Some mock drafts have the New England Patriots taking Campbell with the fourth overall pick. Others have him falling outside of the top ten.
Missouri’s Armand Membou and Ohio State’s Josh Simmons are other offensive tackles that are expected to go early in the first round.
The Saints have the ninth overall selection in the NFL draft. Campbell confirms one of the teams he spoke with at the combine was the Black and Gold. He says it would be an honor to play for the Saints.
“People only from Louisiana understand what football means in that state and not only to be able to represent myself, my family and that organization and to be able to represent the state of Louisiana again would mean everything for me.”
If the Saints took Campbell that could give New Orleans book end tackles for years to come with Campbell on one side and last year’s first round pick Taliese Fuaga on the other.
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