Drake Maye has to hope the Patriots’ scouting department did their homework on offensive linemen ahead of April’s NFL Draft, because it looks like his blind side will be covered by two rookies.
Will Campbell has gone through “trial by fire” at left tackle in training camp, as described by linebacker Keion White, who knocked the No. 4 overall pick off his feet twice early in padded practices last week. Jared Wilson, drafted as a center in the third round, has emerged as the starting left guard through just over two weeks of camp.
New England’s front office has a lot of experience (and money invested) on the right side of the line, buoyed by Mike Onwenu and Morgan Moses, but Wilson acknowledged it’s a bit unusual to see two guys as green as he and Campbell protecting Maye on the other end.
“It’s going to be a challenge and we know that. We’re looking forward to it,” he said after Monday’s practice.
Wilson has been a breakout star since the pads came on, quickly leapfrogging former first-round pick Cole Strange to rep with the starters.
He and Campbell actually trained together before the draft, and he said communication has been a huge part fixing any flubs he’s had in camp. He credits Onwenu for helping him make the shift from center to guard.
“I go to Mike about a lot of things,” he said. “This is [his] year six, or something like that. He’s played both guard positions in the league and at tackle. I’m just asking questions, and he lets me know what he does with hands, what he sees, what he punches, how to set, how to stand inside-out, and just being patient. He’s a great tool for me.”
It’s a gamble for the Patriots, who arguably haven't found a solid pro for the offensive line through the draft since Joe Thuney, in 2016. But a thin crop of available tackles in free agency and lack of traditional blue-chip talent at the position in the draft left them with little to no other options this offseason. Strange may be able to fight back into a spot with the 1s, but it’s a different story at left tackle. The Patriots’ only other option is Vederian Lowe, who rejoined the team from the PUP list Monday. His return didn’t change Campbell’s monopoly of reps with the 1s.
White, as previously mentioned, hasn’t shied away from challenging Campbell every chance he gets.
“The best way to learn how to not get ran through your face is getting ran through your face,” he said after practice.
But aside from that blunt assessment, the veteran credited Campbell’s willingness to learn.
“Guys come in, 5-star, All-American, thinking they’re the best in the world. Then, when they face adversity, sometimes they shut down. That’s something that Will doesn’t do,” White said. “He asks questions, he says, ‘Okay, how can I not lose this rep?’ And he comes back better. That’s the best thing you can do as a rookie, because there’s going to be learning curves.”