Nine practices into training camp, Will Campbell is already drawing notice inside the Patriots’ building.
The New England left tackle missed time in the spring while rehabbing a torn MCL suffered against the Bengals late last season, but he also spent that stretch in Oklahoma working alongside some of the NFL’s top offensive linemen, including Lane Johnson, Tristian Wirfs, Dion Dawkins and Creed Humphrey.
“Just a ton of knowledge,” Campbell said when asked about the experience. “I worked with a lot of guys who have been around a long time and done it at a high level for a long time. So just anything that they could teach me that could help me or, whether that's football or off the field or just training and just being around them in the same environment.”
That extra work appears to be showing up early in camp. Campbell has stood out on the offensive line, and one of the clearest endorsements has come from veteran edge rusher Dre'Mont Jones.
The Patriots signed Jones in free agency this offseason after getting two looks at him last year. He faced New England with the Titans in Week 7 and then again with the Ravens in Week 16. Campbell missed that second matchup because of the MCL tear, but Jones had already seen enough when he lined up across from the rookie in Tennessee.
“I thought Will was really patient in the sets back when I was in Tennessee when I went against him,” Jones said Tuesday. “I thought he was strong at the point of attack. It's still true to this day.”
Jones said Campbell has taken another step since their last meeting in October.
“Will has definitely gotten better from the last time I played him last year during the game,” Jones told reporters. “He's definitely watched a lot of film and honed in his technique even more. And, I mean, it's fun to watch and it's fun to compete against him every day.”
He also pointed to specific improvements in Campbell’s game.
“He's definitely a lot more stout,” Jones continued. “He's not as easy to push back, I guess.
I mean, not to say he was easy before. I still gotta put in a lot of effort.
But he's definitely become smarter, more patient with his hands. He stays square a lot more, a lot better than he did in his sets.”
That kind of progress matters for a Patriots offense trying to clean up its protection issues, with Campbell charged with helping protect Drake Maye’s blindside after New England finished bottom-10 in the NFL in sacks allowed last season.
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