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LSU OT Will Campbell among few 'true first-round grades' in 2025 NFL Draft, per ESPN analyst

by:Jerit Roser•02/20/25
NCAA Football: Louisiana State at Texas A&M
Oct 26, 2024; College Station, Texas, USA; LSU Tigers offensive tackle Will Campbell (66) lines up during the second half against the Texas A&M Aggies. The Aggies defeated the Tigers 38-23; at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images.

Only 15 prospects in the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft appear to have “true first-round grades” as the pre-draft process ramps up, according to ESPN analyst and insider Matt Miller.

LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell is among that elite group, Miller wrote this week.

The actual first round contains 32 picks every year, but the number of player who earn a true grade of that level fluctuates from class to class.

“These sacred evaluations are reserved for prospects who would be Day 1 selections regardless of year,” Miller explained. “And my own guideline is whether a player would have been a first-rounded in each of the past five classes.”

The 15 first-round grades from Miller, though subject in change during the next two months, currently lands on the lower end of the spectrum of his recent class evaluations, including 20 first-round grades in 2023 and 18 in 2024.

And though his more compact frame may have some scouts and analysts debate whether Campbell will be a better fit at guard, Miller sees the Monroe native and former Neville star as the top offensive line prospect in the class — with a high-level NFL tackle comparison.

“The 6-foot-6, 323-pounder is a technician with great agility and balance, but his shorter arms (under 33 inches) and an upright stance which lacks base power could force a move to guard,” Miller wrote. “Whether he’s on the inside of the outside, I confidently give Campbell a Round 1 grade.”

Miller ranked Campbell one sport ahead of Texas tackle Kelvin Banks Jr., the only other offensive lineman in his top 15.

And he drew the comparison to longtime Buffalo Bills left tackle Dion Dawkins, the second-round pick in 2017 who took over the starting role as a rookie and has held down the fort there all eight seasons.

The Temple product signed a three-year extension last March and earned a fourth straight Pro Bowl selection this season and finished third in All-Pro voting among the league’s left tackles.

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