How Patriots rookie Will Campbell has already impressed veteran Morgan Moses
"Every day he’s like,’ Bro, can we get some sets?’”
FOXBOROUGH — There is only so much that can be drawn from watching football practices before players put on their pads.
But while the jury remains out on how Patriots rookie Will Campbell will handle NFL competition once training camp begins in earnest in late July, the No. 4 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft already has plenty of fans in Foxborough.
Count veteran right tackle Morgan Moses among those who have been impressed with New England’s new left tackle.
“The way he approaches the game – he’s eager to learn, asks questions,” Moses said of what has stood out about Campbell following Tuesday’s OTA session. “Every day he’s like,’ Bro, can we get some sets?’ And just talking football – his locker is right beside mine so we get to talk about football all day.
“And obviously, he’s a stud. He played great football in college and now he’s just trying to figure it out.”
Moses — who is entering his 12th season in the NFL — is already making a concerted effort toward putting Campbell under his wing and showing him the ropes at football’s highest level.
Shortly after Tuesday’s OTA session wrapped and players started to make their way off the practice fields, Moses worked with Campbell on several blocking techniques and stances.
While the Patriots signed Moses to solidify the right side of its offensive line, Moses said that he relishes the opportunity to help develop younger offensive linemen.
“I think it’s the biggest thing. I’ve been blessed to be under a lot of great tackles. I played with Trent Williams for five years,” Williams said. “Just being able to learn from him and take it on the field is vital because being a vet that’s played 12 years and being able to sprinkle little things to those guys and see them use it in practice and get better and just build a toolbox for themselves is good for everybody.”
With Moses, Mike Onwenu, and several starters limited on Tuesday, there was no set five-man unit that the Patriots stuck with during Tuesday’s practice. But through several variations, Campbell remained in place as the team’s top left tackle — a positive sign for a prospect whose arm length has raised questions about whether he’s better suited to be a guard in the pros.
Full-contact drills won’t begin until at least a few days into training camp this summer. But Moses believes that New England’s offensive linemen can still set the foundation for a successful season during this stage of the offseason.
“The offensive line is a unique position because in the offseason, you’re training against a bag all day and then you have to go out there and block a live moving object,” Moses said. “It takes the guys a little bit of time to get acclimated to the speed. Really just coming out here, learning the plays, being in the huddle, being with Drake [Maye], seeing what Drake sees, everybody being on the same cord, playing football and having fun.
“We’re building an identity. We got a lot of new players, a lot of young players who are going to be out there playing this year so just getting them comfortable with the schemes and terminology so we can go out there and play fast.”
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