Pre draft I had Membou over Campbell just off the eye test I really loved the explosion on Membou's tape versus being like there is a solid technically sound guy who will be a starter somewhere for 10 years on Campbell's. I also started a massive thread on why wingspan is important. Having watched Campbell in the NFL for a year now my opinion hasn't really changed much. Campbell will be somewhere in the 10-15 best tackle discussion every year for the next decade.
He does have limitations based on his upright play style and his frame being narrower then ideal. He has strengths in length, quickness, and smarts that offset a great deal of those limitations. I didn't see him having issues with speed rushers off the edge, he is plenty quick and fast enough for that, what I saw was a susceptibility to inside counter moves and a very surprising to me inability to pick up stunts and blitzes. How much of that was him being a rookie playing next to a struggling rookie backed up by a rookie RB who also struggled in pass protection?
The other surprising to me thing I observed is unlike a lot of rookie tackles giving him help (TE chipping, RB helping on the edge, even in the Superbowl the sack he gave up he HAD his guy until Wilson knocked him off the block) actual made him worse. The myles Garret game everyone gives him so much crap for it was mostly the first half when they had Hunter chipping, once he got him one on one he actually held his own for the most part.
All of that said my bottom line is short of injury to Campbell there is a zero percent chance he is not our starting LT for all of 2026. I do not see the people who think he can be an all pro guard pov at all. Way to tall, plays upright, and isn't a devasting drive blocking menace. I would 100% rather he try to switch sides in 2027 if the staff decides they can do better at LT. I think he would be the exact same above average but not elite player at guard and tackle is way more valuable and hard to find.
Lomu also is just 21 and raw, some would say came out a year too early. If he had stayed in school and had another +starter level season he might have been a top 10 pick, maybe even the number 1 LT on the board next draft. He NEEDS a year to develop get stronger because right now all he is is potential. Hell of an athlete though and by now it's very clear that's the kind of line they want to build. To me it's very clear the Patriots are ok with Campbell-AVT-Wilson-Owenu-Moses for a year to give them the time they need to get the athletic line they want in 2027 when Owenu and Moses will be gone and that starts with two young athletic talented tackles. Which one plays where? I don't care as long as they keep Maye upright and healthy
