The New England Patriots came into the 2025 NFL Draft ready to shake things up. They needed to fix some major holes, and Mike Vrabel went for it – offense, defense, even special teams. In the first round, they grabbed offensive tackle Will Campbell at No. 4 overall. At first, fans weren’t thrilled. Social media lit up with criticism, mostly about Campbell’s short arms. But that noise started fading once the rookie minicamp kicked off.
Will Campbell stepped onto the field in a Patriots uniform for the first time and immediately turned heads. His athleticism stood out, and both coaches and teammates took notice. He wasn’t just holding his own, he was making an impact. And while Campbell drew the spotlight, there was someone else in that Mike Vrabel’s camp who quietly left a strong impression on the team, too.
According to Phil Perry, during a segment on the Patriots Talk Podcast, Mike Vrabel and the team were clearly impressed with two players. The TV personality said, “The two names I got in terms of most impressive players at Patriots Rookie Mini Camp, Will Campbell, which you would expect, and Craig Woodson, fourth round pick out of Cal.” How?
#Patriots staff has been very impressed with LT Will Campbell and S Craig Woodson, per @PhilAPerry.
“The two names I got — in terms of most impressive players at Patriots Rookie Minicamp — Will Campbell, which you would expect, and Craig Woodson.”
( Patriots Talk Podcast) pic.twitter.com/1Px1vTaUSj
— Carlos A. Lopez (@LosTalksPats) May 19, 2025
Well, Perry added, Mike Vrabel and the Patriots “love his football IQ. They love his movement skills. So anyway, maybe Craig Woodson’s out there mixing it up.” The Foxborough team grabbed California safety Craig Woodson in the fourth round with pick No. 106. At first, most thought he’d just be a backup, nothing flashy. But he’s got college reps playing nickel, too, and that versatility matters.
Woodson is coming off a strong season with 70 tackles, nine pass breakups, and two picks. And now, he made some noise at the rookie minicamp. On the current depth chart, the player is listed as the No. 2 nickel behind Marcus Jones. If he were at safety, he’d be backing up Kyle Dugger and Jabrill Peppers. Those three ahead of him have been solid, no doubt. But don’t count Woodson out.
Mike Vrabel’s new member could push hard for a bigger role during OTAs and camp. And even if he doesn’t crack the starting lineup, the Pats have to love the depth he brings across multiple spots in the secondary. So, like Will Campbell, who was seen as a non-flashy player, folks didn’t expect much from Craig Woodson. But the two are proving the doubters wrong, as they share similarities in their play style and potential impact. So, with these players, along with his complete roster, the head coach is moving forward in 2025.
Mike Vrabel isn’t looking behind in the past!
Mike Vrabel isn’t here to babysit last year’s mess. He made that clear the moment he stepped into the Patriots’ locker room. In the first episode of “Forged in Foxborough,” the former linebacker didn’t sugarcoat it. When asked if he’s worried about what went wrong last year, he fired back, “Why the f— would I care about what happened last year?” That says it all. Vrabel’s locked in on what’s ahead – today, tomorrow, and the next grind. Hence, he added, “I’m worried about what’s going to go right today and tomorrow and the next day. We’re not worried about what went wrong. We’re focused on what’s going to go right.”
No doubt, Last season was a train wreck. Jerod Mayo went 4-13, called the team “soft” after a brutal loss in London, and was out the door by January. It was also the first year without Belichick since ’99. The Patriots beat the Bills in the finale, but even that win cost them the top draft pick. And now, Vrabel is in. He is fresh off a break after the Titans let him go. So, now he is ready to reset the tone. He’s not alone either. Stefon Diggs is in on a $69 million deal, giving QB Drake Maye a weapon. The team also added Morgan Moses and stacked the defense with Milton Williams and Robert Spillane.
So, this time, Mike Vrabel isn’t trying to patch old wounds; he’s building something new. And come September 7, it’s go time!
The post Mike Vrabel’s 4th Round Pick as Impressive as Will Campbell as Patriots HC Clears Feelings About Disastrous 2024 Season appeared first on EssentiallySports.
