Reporters agree Patriots' decision for No. 4 pick in NFL Draft is 'no-brainer'

While the New England Patriots seemingly want to trade the fourth overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft to acquire additional assets needed for their ongoing roster rebuild, there was no sign as of Wednesday morning that the club will move down the draft order.

Some previously suggested New England could take Missouri offensive tackle Armand Membou over LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell at choice No. 4. However, Mark Daniels of MassLive shared on Wednesday morning that the Patriots making Campbell the draft's fourth selection is now viewed as a "no-brainer" decision. 

"The Patriots haven’t had stable play at left tackle since 2021," Daniels explained. "Their biggest need is left tackle. Campbell is the best left tackle in this draft. A three-year starter, he’s an elite athlete. That’s why some believe Campbell is an instant starter at tackle despite having a shorter wingspan. A two-time captain, he also has the leadership qualities that [first-year New England head coach Mike Vrabel] covets. Campbell is the best offensive line prospect this year. The Patriots need to protect Drake Maye better than they did last season. Campbell will be an upgrade."

According to Pro Football Reference stats, Maye ended his rookie season with the league's fourth-highest sack percentage (9.14 percent) among quarterbacks who made a minimum of eight starts. In total, he took the 13th-most sacks in the league (34) even though he started only 12 of 17 contests. 

Also on Wednesday, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported that fans should "expect (Patriots executive vice president of player personnel) Eliot Wolf, Mike Vrabel and Co. to use their top selection to beef up their offensive line, and attempt to plug other holes throughout the draft." Per Peter Schrager of ESPN, New England will do just that and take Campbell at No. 4 because he is seen as "a day-one starter and a culture guy."

NFL Draft analyst and league insider Todd McShay of The Ringer agrees. 

"Campbell might not be this high on many other teams' boards, but New England’s ranking is all that matters," McShay said about predicting that the Patriots will make Campbell the draft's fourth choice. "New head coach Mike Vrabel fell in love with Campbell after meeting him multiple times during the draft process. Campbell’s recall and football intelligence sold Vrabel on making him the leader of the Patriots' OL room. There’s even a report that Drake Maye knows Campbell is the pick."

As of Wednesday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook listed Campbell as the betting favorite at -575 odds to be the fourth pick of the draft. That may be the biggest sign that the Patriots know they will hold onto the No. 4 selection up until they spend it on the LSU star.