This week’s NFL Draft Notebook starts with an analysis of LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell and an explanation of why the Saints could find a perfect fit in him for the upcoming campaign. After that, we highlight five players to keep an eye on this weekend and conclude with a discussion of the worries scouts have over some of the best quarterback prospects available in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Will Campbell, a New Orleans Saints draft target
LSU vs. South Carolina is one of the SEC’s marquee games this weekend, and Will Campbell, the offensive tackle for LSU, is a guy scouts and fans should watch closely. He is currently the offensive tackle I rank highest for the 2025 NFL Draft and I believe he will be selected in the top 10 this spring.
For LSU, Campbell has been exceptional from the first day he arrived on campus. Having enrolled a semester early, he had an outstanding spring camp and was rewarded with the starting left tackle spot as a true freshman. Pro Football Focus said that in his rookie season, he had the second-lowest pass-blocking grade (85.6) on true pass sets, behind only Peter Skoronski, the 11th overall choice in that year’s draft. During his sophomore year, Campbell achieved unprecedented success as he was named to the First Team All-SEC and did not allow a single sack. Despite a challenging start to the season, he has performed admirably, as evidenced by his 88.8 pass-blocking grade versus Nicholls. He has also not given up a single pressure point.
Pro prospect Campbell is a dual-purpose player who can run and pass. He possesses exceptional strength and speed in the run game, with a powerful burst off the ball. His aggressive style of play and sheer power, demonstrated by his 600-pound squat, make him difficult to overwhelm at 6’6″ and 323 pounds. Another strength of his is his mobility, which enables him to penetrate defenses and make crucial blocks on linebackers in the run game.
Although Campbell’s run-blocking is excellent, his pass-blocking ability may be even greater. Only two sacks have been permitted to him in his three years at LSU. He is difficult to beat off the edge due to his balance, fast feet, and powerful base. Defensive players are unable to overwhelm him with bull rushes or strength because of his hand placement and general skill.
Scouts should be most concerned about Campbell’s arm length, which is less than ideal for a person of his size. He struggled with long-arm maneuvers against Darius Robinson of Missouri and Dallas Turner of Alabama last season, which was clear. He also needs to work on improving his pad level, which might be a greater problem in the NFL than it was in college.
The New Orleans Saints are a squad that Campbell might be a great fit for. Trevor Penning may not start for the Saints in the upcoming season if he continues to struggle, as he did in the previous campaign with a 49.0 PFF pass-blocking grade and 19 pressures allowed. By selecting Campbell, the Saints would be able to transfer Taliese Fuaga, a 2023 first-round pick, to his natural right tackle position. Campbell, meanwhile, could take over at left tackle and help stabilize the offensive line.
Week 3: Five guys to keep an eye on
UNLV’s Jackson Woodard, OLB
After the Rebels’ season-opening victory against Houston, UNLV outside linebacker Jackson Woodard was named Walter Camp Defensive Player of the Week, further elevating his profile this season. UNLV needs a dominant effort from Woodard if they are to pull off the shock against Kansas, one of their toughest opponents, tonight.
Wisconsin quarterback Tyler Van Dyke
After winning the ACC Rookie of the Year award, former Miami quarterback Tyler Van Dyke was originally seen as a potential day two NFL Draft selection. Nevertheless, his progress has been hindered by injuries and uneven play. Van Dyke hasn’t impressed in his first two games at Wisconsin. To increase his chances of getting selected in the NFL, he needs to play well against Alabama this Saturday.
Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan, WR
Tetairoa McMillan, a wide receiver for Arizona, has had an unpredictable season thus far. He was held to just 11 receiving yards on two catches in a close victory over Northern Arizona last week, following his designation as NFL Draft Notebook’s top performer in the season’s first game. In a crucial game that might establish the Wildcats as a top contender in the Big 12, McMillan will need to recover this Saturday against Kansas State.
Oregon State’s Kobe Singleton, CB
The Civil War between Oregon and Oregon State is one of this week’s most interesting games. Despite being ranked ninth in the country, Oregon has had close calls from Boise State and Idaho. Conversely, Oregon State has dominated, defeating San Diego State last week and dominating every game by at least 21 points. The Beavers will rely on their best defensive player, cornerback Kobe Singleton, to shut down wide receiver Evan Stewart in order to hinder Oregon’s offense.
Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard
Riley Leonard, the quarterback for Notre Dame, has had trouble this season with accuracy and footwork, as I explained in a recent post. Leonard needs to do better in those areas against Purdue this Saturday; else, Notre Dame might end up 1-2, which would put an end to their hopes of making the College Football Playoffs.
News and notes regarding the NFL Draft
Not meeting the standards that were set: Conner Weigman of Texas A&M is another quarterback who has fallen short of expectations this season, much like Riley Leonard. He only completed 40% of his throws and threw two interceptions in the season opener against Notre Dame, where the Irish limited the Aggies to only 13 points. Weigman was taken out of the game before the rest of the first-team offense, despite the fact that he performed better against McNeese State previous week. The coaching staff felt that Marcel Reed, a redshirt freshman, should get some playing time, if only as a safety measure in case Weigman stumbles against more difficult SEC opponents.
Slot wide receiver to watch: Xavier Restrepo of Miami was the wide receiver I would recommend coming into the season, and he’s showing why. Restrepo caught seven passes for 112 yards in the season opener versus Florida. He was very adept at locating soft spots in zone coverage and displayed remarkable quickness when he got yards after the catch. In his most recent game against Florida A&M, he averaged an incredible 26 yards per reception, displaying the guts and determination you would expect from a slot receiver. On the third day of the 2025 NFL Draft, a team should expect to get a steal when they select Restrepo.
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