Patriots Rumor LaCanfora: WR Mike Evans and LT Rasheed Walker Could Be On Patriots’ Radar

[Ring 6]

How often do you see a backup LT come in and not miss a beat and have the offense be unaffected? I would say that's pretty rare.

I'll disagree with you on the rankings. I haven't dug into it, but I doubt there are many guys out there on anyone's bench that would come in and play as well as Lowe did last season, and I'd have to say he's probably among the top backup LTs in the league. And he'll be paid accordingly, given all the other teams who had trouble at that spot last season.

However, as I said, I agree with you in terms of whether or not they should overpay to keep him. They have too many other needs, and the plan will just have to be on signing a less expensive backup and developing either draft picks or UDFAs. Again, have to just hope that Campbell makes it through 2026 healthy so that it's a non-issue.

We disagree on the ability of the player and how he played. That’s fine.

 

[Ian]

We disagree on the ability of the player and how he played. That’s fine.

Was he a problem through four games in 2025, and I just missed it? I feel like most of us were bracing for the worst, given his struggles in 2024, but that never happened. And he was out there against both Buffalo and Baltimore - unless you saw something that would lead you to believe he wasn't good?

 

[Triumph]

You may but I think Vrabel has other plans.

KC won't jack around at OT.

 

[stinkypete]

I'm all for upgrading at LT and trying Campbell at another position, but am not too thrilled about Walker. Seems like a below average starter commanding high end cash because he started, and because of the dearth of quality LTs in the league.

I'd rather invest the cash into solidifying other positions with David Edwards and/or Brayden Smith, than to replace a below average LT with another below average LT.

 

[manxman2601]

 

[Patsfan1645]

KC won't jack around at OT.

Couldnt care any less what they do...not a fan.

 

[gobesmug]

He has to say that otherwise the team would be fined for tampering.

Not saying I believe the rumor but that response means nothing IMO

 

[Joey007]

He has to say that otherwise the team would be fined for tampering.

Not saying I believe the rumor but that response means nothing IMO

No one is required to say anything at this point. These pre FA rumors are common.

 

[VJCPatriot]

Campbell DID have problems in the at least 2 of the 3 playoff games, though I would subscribe that he did fairly well in the Denver game, especially in the 2nd half. However now, according to the current wisdom, his problems have expanded to include the "2nd half of the season", as we enter the free agent season speculations.

The fact is that Campbell rated among the better LT's in the league by all the freakin' charts and graphs we'd get after each game and the various ratings services, right up until the time he was injured at the start of the Bengals game. He did all this DESPITE the fact he was just 21 and not fully grown. DESPITE the fact he was playing next to another rookie LG who was also going through the same rookie mistakes and not a solid vet who could mitigate some of the growing pains. DESPITE the fact he was thrown into a brand new complex offense, new language, new coaches, etc, etc. DESPITE the fact we have no idea how much of his issues during the playoffs come because of his serious knee injury.

We almost hear NOTHING about that. I did see one analyst (an X-OLman) state that he was getting to his 'spot' well enough on his drops, but too often didn't have the balance and control to anchor and stop the defender's initial progress. And it wasn't like he could NEVER do it, he just didn't do enough. Now how much of that issue was because of the injury, I have no idea, but I'm sure it didn't help.

The fact that PATRIOT fans are calling for Campbell's move to LG, or RT, or anywhere else just boggles my mind. Myself I'm more of the mind of going to get a quality veteran FA LG to be our version of the Bear's Joe Thurney pick up. Someone like Seimalo, Edwards, or Bitonio, and them move Wilson back to C and save Bradbury's cap space. (though I wouldn't hate it if Bradbury was back and some other iteration of OL remains. He was more than often very solid all year and better than I was led to believe.)

I'm not fully sold on Campbell. But the reality is the left side of the OL was swiss cheese in the playoffs.

Maybe we can attribute Campbells playoff failures to not playing fully healthy but it was not a good look. At a bare minimum we need to hedge our bets.

Either get competition for Campbell in camp or get a rock solid left guard to help make up for Campbell's lack of strength, or both.

We need two new players on the left side of the OL AND a young player to groom behind Moses at RT as well. Kicking in Wilson to C will probably help alleviate some issues.

Maybe Campbell develops into a better LT next season but we cannot blindly count on that. I would still draft a guy like Freeman, Proctor or Lomu if given the opportunity AND get a veteran LG, etc.

 

[Rob0729]

The thing is whether or not the report is true, this would be his answer. If they are targeting Walker, he would say this. If they have no interest, he would say this.

I don't know how much weight to give this report because it was second hand info by another club that may just be speculating. That is why I originally put it in an existing thread. So I don't know if this is true.

My guess is they will target a LG over a LT. I think a solid to great LG will make Campbell a lot better and potentially allow Wilson to switch to center. LG is one position where there is a lot of options in free agency.

 

[Hugepatsfan]

The thing is whether or not the report is true, this would be his answer. If they are targeting Walker, he would say this. If they have no interest, he would say this.

I don't know how much weight to give this report because it was second hand info by another club that may just be speculating. That is why I originally put it in an existing thread. So I don't know if this is true.

My guess is they will target a LG over a LT. I think a solid to great LG will make Campbell a lot better and potentially allow Wilson to switch to center. LG is one position where there is a lot of options in free agency.

Not sure this is true. If they were actually interested I think he'd just say some generic stuff about still evaluating and any reports are premature. Specific denial is actually kind of rare.

 

[hornetfb85]

LT: Campbell
LG: Vera-Tucker/Seumalo
C: McGovern
RG: Onwenu
RT: Moses

 

[Rob0729]

Not sure this is true. If they were actually interested I think he'd just say some generic stuff about still evaluating and any reports are premature. Specific denial is actually kind of rare.

Nah! I think he would say that. They have to be 1,000% behind Campbell at LT until they find a replacement.

What happens if they give the impression they are willing to upgrade from Campbell at LT and then they don't get Walker? There is no plan B in free agency. They won't be in position to draft an upgrade in the draft. All they would have done is let the world know they aren't confident that Campbell can be a franchise LT and they are giving it a shot anyway because they have no better option. Doesn't help the team. Doesn't help Campbell.

It is far easier to say Walker fell into their lap and it is an offer they couldn't refuse and it has no bearing on how much they love Campbell than to say they are keeping their options opened and then have to then say they have all the confidence in Campbell in the second most important position on offense.

Wolf did say that tackle is a position of need in free agency and the draft. Mostly to replace Lowe and Munford and a future replacement for Moses, but he could end up talking to Walker.

 

[Triumph]

Couldnt care any less what they do...not a fan.

They are the team to beat in the AFC.

 

[TheRainMaker]

I'm not fully sold on Campbell. But the reality is the left side of the OL was swiss cheese in the playoffs.

Maybe we can attribute Campbells playoff failures to not playing fully healthy but it was not a good look. At a bare minimum we need to hedge our bets.

Either get competition for Campbell in camp or get a rock solid left guard to help make up for Campbell's lack of strength, or both.

We need two new players on the left side of the OL AND a young player to groom behind Moses at RT as well. Kicking in Wilson to C will probably help alleviate some issues.

Maybe Campbell develops into a better LT next season but we cannot blindly count on that. I would still draft a guy like Freeman, Proctor or Lomu if given the opportunity AND get a veteran LG, etc.

Maye now has leverage to tell Vrabel/Ownership that the OL needs to get better quickly. He won't say it publicly, but he's thinking exactly what we are thinking - the line is really bad. He can't sit back and just hope they improve it or else it could turn into an Andrew Luck situation.

Campbell was shaky all year, but I don't think he's as bad as we saw in the playoffs as the injury was more severe than we thought. However, I noticed all year long that he had a problem with getting bull rushed into Maye too much. Most of the time he'd recover, but it's clear he needs to get stronger. With that said, I do have long term concerns with him as we can't assume he'll get better.

Wilson on the other hand, had no business starting at LG all year long and it was annoying as hell seeing him continue to trot out there during the playoffs with that terrible guardian cap on.

 

[Triumph]

You may but I think Vrabel has other plans.

Maybe yes and maybe no.

 

[Dec54]

LT: Campbell
LG: Vera-Tucker/Seumalo
C: McGovern
RG: Onwenu
RT: Moses

I think we expected too much of Campbell, I include myself in that. But if the coaches have faith in him then so do I.

 

[TheRainMaker]

KC won't jack around at OT.

Couldnt care any less what they do...not a fan.

You should care because they are the Pats competition.

They are the team to beat in the AFC.

They're cooked as far as a serious contender for now. Mahomes is looking rough. They will be probably be counting on Hill to return and recover from his injury. Kelce most likely will retire (he should). Defense doesn't have the same luck it had in 2024. Chris Jones is another year older.

 

[Triumph]

Maye now has leverage to tell Vrabel/Ownership that the OL needs to get better quickly. He won't say it publicly, but he's thinking exactly what we are thinking - the line is really bad. He can't sit back and just hope they improve it or else it could turn into an Andrew Luck situation.

Campbell was shaky all year, but I don't think he's as bad as we saw in the playoffs as the injury was more severe than we thought. However, I noticed all year long that he had a problem with getting bull rushed into Maye too much. Most of the time he'd recover, but it's clear he needs to get stronger. With that said, I do have long term concerns with him as we can't assume he'll get better.

Wilson on the other hand, had no business starting at LG all year long and it was annoying as hell seeing him continue to trot out there during the playoffs with that terrible guardian cap on.

Spot on.

Campbells draft report was like a crystal ball about where he struggles and it all came true. 2026 is going to be a tougher row to hoe for Campbell as DCs come at him enmasse.

 

[TheRainMaker]

Spot on.

Campbells draft report was like a crystal ball about where he struggles and it all came true. 2026 is going to be a tougher row to hoe for Campbell as DCs come at him enmasse.

Yep. They have tape on him and the game plan will be to put him on the sled drill. They will do it until it stops.