OL 2026

[Huckleberry1]

I've thought the same. People talk about tall OTs as "massive" but I'd rather have a guy 6'5" at 320 than 6"9" at that weight. The center of gravity location is a big deal, as is the lateral quickness, and shorter is better for both.
On the other hand, I don't really know anything, so FWIW.

Agree completely. You want good size in your tackles, but the way football has gone the past 20-30 years athleticism is even more important. And in picking Campbell and Lomu the Patriots have 2 tackles who rated in the top 1% RAS since 1986. Both will get stronger and improve their technique as they get more experience, and the Patriots should have tackle resolved for years to come, with contracts being the biggest obstacle the team will face.

 

[Diffs4]

This has nothing to do with anything of importance but why does Campbell have his shirt tucked into his pants. Who does that when they workout? Plus no shorts. He just looks so out of place among the others based on his attire alone. A nothing burger but it jumps off the page when I look at these pictures and as someone who is in the gym on a regular basis. Anyway hoping for the best for Will. Will be interested to see how this year goes for him.

 

[captain stone]

The Underrated Patriots Addition Who Changes Everything This Offseason

The New England Patriots continue to protect their quarterback, and went out in free agency to do just that

www.si.com

Yeah... IF he can stay healthy...

 

[captain stone]

This has nothing to do with anything of importance but why does Campbell have his shirt tucked into his pants. Who does that when they workout? Plus no shorts. He just looks so out of place among the others based on his attire alone. A nothing burger but it jumps off the page when I look at these pictures and as someone who is in the gym on a regular basis. Anyway hoping for the best for Will. Will be interested to see how this year goes for him.

Yeah he kinda looks like maybe a rep from the equipment company or something...

 

[BennyBledsoe]

....I personally don't care if they're wearing a full suit as long as they're getting the job done. In pink. With sequins. And maybe a bell.

 

[Huckleberry1]

This has nothing to do with anything of importance but why does Campbell have his shirt tucked into his pants. Who does that when they workout? Plus no shorts. He just looks so out of place among the others based on his attire alone. A nothing burger but it jumps off the page when I look at these pictures and as someone who is in the gym on a regular basis. Anyway hoping for the best for Will. Will be interested to see how this year goes for him.

And why is he wearing blue? Who does that? No one serious about their workout wears blue.

 

[mayoclinic]

Why the Patriots’ risky signing of G Alijah Vera-Tucker could turn out to be a steal

The 27-year-old missed all of the 2025 season due to injury, but when he's healthy, he's one of the game's better offensive linemen.

www.nytimes.com

 

[TommyD4207]

This has nothing to do with anything of importance but why does Campbell have his shirt tucked into his pants. Who does that when they workout? Plus no shorts. He just looks so out of place among the others based on his attire alone. A nothing burger but it jumps off the page when I look at these pictures and as someone who is in the gym on a regular basis. Anyway hoping for the best for Will. Will be interested to see how this year goes for him.

You...understand that when they're playing games...their jerseys are tucked into their pants, yes?

 

[State]

If both Bubblewrap and Grandpa go thru the season missing no more than two starts, that would be "in like Flynn" sweetness. But I anticipate seeing some of Lomu the Magnificent Mormon and Bennie the backup center Brown out there, at RT and LG respectively. Maybe at the same time.

Don't even get me started if Wilson gets injured.

I wouldn't even play AVT or Moses during any preseason game more than a series or two. The Victorian white gloves better be out for those two.

The team did a great job shoring the OT position, but the interior of the OL lacks depth. Unless we get someone of the waivers in August or someone steps up. Like Wallace.

 

[mgteich]

If both Bubblewrap and Grandpa go thru the season missing no more than two starts, that would be "in like Flynn" sweetness. But I anticipate seeing some of Lomu the Magnificent Mormon and Bennie the backup center Brown out there, at RT and LG respectively. Maybe at the same time.

Don't even get me started if Wilson gets injured.

I wouldn't even play AVT or Moses during any preseason game more than a series or two. The Victorian white gloves better be out for those two.

The team did a great job shoring the OT position, but the interior of the OL lacks depth. Unless we get someone of the waivers in August or someone steps up. Like Wallace.

Yes Wallace is our back OG. Either Vrabel will upgrade him or not.

 

[Huckleberry1]

If both Bubblewrap and Grandpa go thru the season missing no more than two starts, that would be "in like Flynn" sweetness. But I anticipate seeing some of Lomu the Magnificent Mormon and Bennie the backup center Brown out there, at RT and LG respectively. Maybe at the same time.

Don't even get me started if Wilson gets injured.

I wouldn't even play AVT or Moses during any preseason game more than a series or two. The Victorian white gloves better be out for those two.

The team did a great job shoring the OT position, but the interior of the OL lacks depth. Unless we get someone of the waivers in August or someone steps up. Like Wallace.

Will Campbell has played 51 out of his last 55 games at LSU and in New England. Only an ignorant fool would suggest he's injury prone. He started at left tackle as an 18 year old in the toughest conference in college football, and started from day 1 in the NFL. He also played injured against the best pass riiushers in the NFL during the Patriots Super Bowl run. Every time you open your piehole you look like an even bigger idiot.

 

[mayoclinic]

Patriots' Will Campbell Is Working With Pro Bowl OTs, Vrabel Says the Growth Is Showing

Mike Vrabel left a stern message when he broke up the New England Patriots’ minicamp back in June with a six-week break before training camp. Second-year left tackle Will Campbell was clearly paying attention. In an Instagram reel posted by Mitchell Hooper this week, Campbell, the No. 4...

sports.yahoo.com

 

[mayoclinic]

https://www.providencejournal.com/story/sports/nfl/patriots/2026/07/08/patriots-offensive-line-outlook-for-training-camp/90839029007/

 

[mayoclinic]

Excellent hand placement.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Excellent hand placement.

Knows how to bend his knees and play with balance.

 

[SlowGettingUp]

Excellent hand placement.

Get low!

 

[SlowGettingUp]

Solidly middle of the pack:

 

[patfanken]

Did anyone else see that note a while back that talked about the NFL looking into going back to the bigger shoulder pads, especially for O and D linemen. I thought that was both interesting and long overdue. As injuries continue to pile up, I've always thought their rise coincided with the decrease in pad size and the elimination of things like knee pads at all.

I imagine that with today's materials and technology they can make better pads that give better protection and still allow better mobility than what I used 60 odd years ago. Even back a couple of decades ago there was an audible CRASH of pads when the lines fired into each other. Now you hear nothing as the OL and DL seem to stand up and do what we used to DERISIVELY call "titty fight" with each other. The shoulder pads are so small because players no longer seem to use their shoulders to block or tackle.

I'm hoping we see a return to the big shoulder pads (or at least big..ger pads) so we get back to seeing aspects of the game that came with those pads. Just sayin'

 

[SlowGettingUp]

As injuries continue to pile up, I've always thought their rise coincided with the decrease in pad size and the elimination of things like knee pads at all.

Also coincided with the players getting bigger and stronger, while tendons and joints stayed the same strength.

You would think that OL would like big pads (harder for defensive players to turn the corner) while the DL would want skinny.