Hindsight is always 20/20 in the NFL, especially when it comes to the draft. So, let's play a classic "what if" game: if the New England Patriots could re-do the entire 2025 NFL Draft, would they make the same call with their first-round pick?

The selection in question is offensive tackle Will Campbell out of LSU. According to a recent re-draft exercise by The Athletic's Nick Baumgardner, the Patriots would indeed run it back and select Campbell again. This vote of confidence speaks volumes, especially after a rookie season that ended on a challenging note in Super Bowl LX.

It's important to view the full picture. Campbell was a cornerstone of the Patriots' offensive resurgence throughout the 2025 season, providing reliable protection on the blindside and showing immense potential. His trajectory, however, was altered by a late-season MCL injury. While he battled back to play in the playoffs, he wasn't quite the same dominant force, and his Super Bowl performance drew significant scrutiny.

As Baumgardner noted, the criticism is part of the game, but so is growth. Campbell's rookie year, with all its highs and lows, is now invaluable experience. The offseason is where foundations are built and leaps are made. For a player with Campbell's talent and work ethic, the setback could very well be the setup for a major Year 2 breakthrough, making him a building block the Patriots are wise to stick with.