What does Will Campbell need to do or be in order to be considered a good No. 4 overall pick? Given the uncertainty surrounding Campbell’s arm length and whether he’ll be a tackle or guard in the NFL, it’s a fair question.
Does Campbell need to be a Pro Bowl-caliber left tackle? If he’s just a quality starter at left tackle, is that good enough? Can it be a good pick if he has to move inside to guard, or does that automatically make it a failure?
Campbell joined WEEI Afternoons with Andy Hart, Nick “Fitzy” Stevens and Ted Johnson on Friday (listen to the full interview above) and was asked how he’ll judge himself. His answer was simple.
“I just want to win,” Campbell said. “Winning takes care of everything else. So, my biggest goal is, just come in, and any type of way I can help this team improve, be the best teammate I can be, be the best leader that I can be, and just put the best product on the field every Sunday, Monday, Thursday, whatever day we play, possible.”
Campbell mentioned leadership, which is something he might also be able to bring to the Patriots sooner rather than later after being a two-year captain at LSU. Campbell said he’s not making any assumptions about leading in the NFL, though, and is going to start by just working hard every day.
“I couldn't really tell you the challenges yet, because I haven't really been faced with them yet, to be in the locker room with these guys and things like that,” Campbell said. “But I think the biggest thing for me is, come in every day, be the best version of myself every day, be the best teammate, the best player and the best person I can be every single day in between this building and out there on that field. Everything else will take care of itself.”
Campbell said Thursday night that he had told Eliot Wolf, New England’s executive vice president of player personnel, early on last season that he wanted to be a Patriot. When asked why, Campbell cited the Patriots’ history and their passionate fans, comparing it to his experience playing at SEC powerhouse LSU.
“I just wanted to play for a franchise with the history of this one,” Campbell said. “Playing for Coach Vrabel is something that I wanted to do. I wanted a fan base that truly is passionate about this team, just like the one I'm used to. I think this team is something that I was looking forward to joining because I know what we can be. I know that we have the pieces to be a successful football team. I'm super excited to play for Coach Vrabel. He's my type of guy. And I'm just really looking forward to this football season.”