Despite so much transition at the skill positions, LSU’s offense has remained one o fhte SEC’s best so far in 2024. An elite offensive line returning four of five starters is a major reason for that, and that unit is anchored by a superstar in left tackle [autotag]Will Campbell[/autotag].
Campbell headlines LSU players selected in the latest 2025 NFL mock draft from Pro Football Focus’ Trevor Sikkema, projected to go inside the top five at third overall to the New England Patriots, which will likely be looking for protection along the offensive line for 2024 first-round pick quarterback Drake Maye.
Here’s Sikkema’s breakdown of Campbell’s fit in New England.
The Patriots’ offensive line struggles are the reason we haven’t seen quarterback Drake Maye yet. They’ll be heavily targeting offensive line help in the 2025 draft.
Campbell, a three-year starter at left tackle for LSU, could be the first off the board with his combination of agility and power.
Campbell isn’t the only LSU player Sikkema has going in the first round. His counterpart on the right side, [autotag]Emery Jones Jr.[/autotag], is projected to go 24th overall to the Detroit Lions.
The Lions are a team with few glaring needs, but they could follow the Howie Roseman approach by investing premium capital in the offensive line to keep it a strength before it becomes a need.
Jones has played right tackle for LSU over the past three seasons but may be best suited as a guard in the NFL. His versatility fits perfectly with Detroit’s draft plan, especially as Kevin Zeitler is 34 years old, though they also have Christian Mahogany.
Finally, Sikkema still projects [autotag]Harold Perkins Jr.[/autotag] to go in the first round despite his season-ending ACL tear, projecting him to the Seattle Seahawks at No. 27.
This is more of a projection pick, but the more I consider it, the more it makes sense. Perkins is a gifted and explosive athlete. His best work as a freshman came as a pass rusher, but he’s not quite big enough to play on the edge full-time in the NFL.
Over the past two years, he’s transitioned to off-ball linebacker to maximize his speed. Unfortunately, he tore his ACL early this season and will miss most of the year. Still, imagine a world where Mike Macdonald has that kind of speed anchoring the middle of his defense.
Perkins’ future in Baton Rouge is unclear as he has the option to return for another season but was viewed as a surefire first-round pick prior to his injury.
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