What if the Patriots could rewind the clock on the 2025 NFL Draft? With the benefit of a full season of hindsight, one prominent NFL writer believes the team would make the same foundational choice.

In a recent 2025 re-draft exercise for The Athletic, Nick Baumgardner projected the New England Patriots would once again select LSU left tackle Will Campbell with the No. 4 overall pick. This comes after a rookie season where Campbell was instrumental in the Patriots' run to the Super Bowl, anchoring the offensive line for breakout quarterback Drake Maye.

While Campbell's performance in the big game drew scrutiny, Baumgardner argues for the bigger picture. "Campbell’s Super Bowl performance drew a lot of criticism — and that’s fine," he wrote. "But let’s remember Campbell was a big part of New England’s resurgence in the first place, and he’s absolutely the type of player who will learn and improve from that setback."

Context is key for Campbell's late-season trajectory. The rookie tackle suffered a grade 3 MCL sprain in Week 12, an injury that sidelined him for several games and likely impacted his play down the stretch. His primary job—protecting Drake Maye's blind side—was a resounding success, providing the stability necessary for the young quarterback's leap forward.

The exercise reinforces a classic draft philosophy: securing a franchise left tackle is a move teams rarely regret. Despite a deep pool of rookie talent, the Patriots' commitment to building from the trenches out appears to be a decision they'd confidently make again.