The Chicago Bears might be the most unpredictable team picking in the top 10 this year. A couple of weeks ago, everybody knew it would be an offensive or defensive lineman. Once they had their series of trades and free agent acquisitions, those clear needs vanished. Now, the projections are all over the place. Some can see a top running back. Others envision another playmaking tight end. Still a notable few haven't moved off the lineman focus, believing GM Ryan Poles and head coach Ben Johnson may want to cement the rebuild with a franchise left tackle. That is where Will Campbell comes in.
The LSU standout was one of the best left tackles in the SEC for the past two years. Experts love his mix of size, power, athleticism, and violence. His intelligence has also stood out. The problem is his arms are short. NFL tackles typically have around 34-inch length. Campbell reaches 33 at best. That could prove an issue against some of the big defensive ends he'll have to face. Bob McGinn of Go Long TD spoke to scouts about the young tackle. Their stance seemed pretty clear.
Pass on him at your own risk.
“He’s super talented,” one scout said. “Can do it all. He’s quick, has feet, he’s athletic. His technique’s really good. In the run game, he can position or jolt people. In pass pro, he can mirror. He’ll give up some (pressure) every so often on an inside move mostly. He’s got Pro Bowl talent. His arms are a little short. That’d be the only concern.” Arm (32 5/8 inches) and hand (9 ½ inches) measurements at the combine (regarded as the standard by most teams) were the shortest/smallest among the top tackles. “There’s always exceptions, there’s always outliers,” the scout said.
“When you look at what 32 5/8 is compared to 33, and actually put that on a ruler and look at it, if you’re not going to take a guy who has potential to be a perennial Pro Bowler, then, OK … ” Started all 38 games at left tackle. “He’s good,” said a second scout. “If you want to nitpick, his arms aren’t that long. Great kid. His interview, he sounded like a head coach at a P4 (Power Four) school. It was incredible. One of the best interviews I’ve heard in my life.”
Will Campbell isn't perfect, but he's good.
That is often the problem teams run into this time of year. They're so dead set on finding the perfect pick that they often overlook the obvious ones. Yes, there is a chance the length issues will haunt Will Campbell from time to time in the NFL. However, he seemed to handle it just fine in college football's best conference against a litany of future pro pass rushers. Are the Bears really going to pass on somebody good because his arms are slightly shorter than preferred? If they do, it might be a signal that their priorities are in the wrong place. Campbell will become a good player for somebody. Chicago has insisted up and down that they're committed to fixing this offensive line issue once and for all. Giving Caleb Williams two 1st round offensive tackle would make that crystal clear.
