GREEN BAY, Wis. ― On April 16, eight days before the start of the NFL Draft, Louisiana State offensive linemen Will Campbell and Miles Frazier prepared for a private workout on campus with the Patriots. They had heard that coach Mike Vrabel, a 14-year NFL linebacker, still liked to get in the mix and grapple with players. They prepared accordingly.

Mike Vrabel was convinced Will Campbell was the Patriots' guy when the left tackle took him out during a pre-draft workout.

New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel had an interesting test for his newest offensive lineman Will Campbell, who the team selected with the fourth pick in the NFL draft Thursday. In a final interview between Campbell and the Patriots' top brass, Vrabel wanted to be knocked off his feet—literally.