The Jacksonville Jaguars will have a plethora of options with the fifth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. However, there's a strong chance the teams ahead of them could take some of the prospects they're targeting. For this reason, the Jags surely hope a recent scoop involving the New York Giants and the New England Patriots comes to fruition.
Todd McShay of ESPN says that there's a chance pass rusher Abdul Carter falls to New England at No. 4, pointing out that Shedeur Sanders is realistically at play for the Giants one pick earlier.
"April 24, 2025, 10 days out from the draft. All of a sudden, Abdul Carter, the agent doesn't let Abdul Carter travel to Foxboro, Massachusetts if he thinks there's a chance. So the agent's getting the same information that I'm getting, that NFL teams are getting, that chador could be in play at three.
McShay continued, "I don't... So if you're a Patriots fan, and you're like, 'Yeah, I like Will, Will Campbell a lot, offensive tackle,' then I'm told it's either Abdul if he falls to four, or it's Will Campbell. That's another bit of information. Again, not all information is accurate, but it's coming from pretty good sources that just wouldn't say I have a good feeling or sense or a good source on this."
This is noteworthy because New England is expected to take either Abdul or Will Campbell. But if it opts for the former, the Jaguars could target the latter. Of course, this becomes moot if the Cleveland Browns draft Carter, which is a realistic possibility, with the second overall pick.
Aside from Jacksonville, the Pats are the most likely destination for Will Campbell in the top 5. That said, the Las Vegas Raiders could also show interest if he's available at No. 6.
If the Patriots draft Will Campbell, the upside is that the Jaguars could have a clear path to Travis Hunter if the Browns take Carter, the Giants roll with Shedeur Sanders. Below is the clip with McShay's scoop, via Patriots beat writer Carlos A. Lopez.
There is a real chance Abdul Carter falls to the #Patriots, per @McShay13.
— Carlos A. Lopez (@LosTalksPats) April 15, 2025
“The agent doesn't let Abdul Carter travel to Foxboro, Massachusetts if he [doesn’t] think there's a chance...
I’m told it’s either Abdul if he falls to 4 or it’s Will Campbell.”
(🎥 The McShay Show) pic.twitter.com/OHRWaPRGa1
Why the Jaguarsw would love Will Campbell to be available at No. 5
Even though defensive tackle Mason Graham is the consensus to go to the Jacksonville Jaguars, you could ask 10 different people, and you would get 10 different opinions on who should be the pick at No. 5. Will Campbell has certainly earned consideration.
The Jags already have a pair of bookend offensive tackles in Walker Little and Anton Harrison. Moreover, the front office signed Robert Hainsay and Patrick Mekari in free agency to start at center and right guard, respectively. With left guard Ezra Cleveland in the mix, the offensive line appears to be set. That said, the team's brass has routinely talked about raising the roster floor. Drafting Campbell would accomplish that.
Campbell's biggest weakness is his lack of arm strength, but as he pointed out, it was never an issue for him at LSU. But even if it were a limitation, Jacksonville could have him compete at offensive tackle, and if he falters, they could try him out at guard. Either way, he would potentially improve one spot up front.
In the end, there are many ways the top 5 would unfold, but if the Jaguars are zeroing in on Will Campbell, they surely hope Todd McShay's scoop turns out to be true, and Abdul Carter goes to New England.