The Patriots' offensive line has dealt with a long list of injuries at the start of the season, losing Mike Onwenu in Week 2 to a broken ankle. His backup lasted one game before he, too, landed on injured reserve, and now the team is on their third right guard for the year.
Things got worse against the Raiders on Sunday when Will Campbell left in the second quarter with a knee injury, possibly the same knee he hurt last season. That would be the worst-case scenario, of course, especially since he didn't return to the game.
But they were able to throw in first-rounder Caleb Lomu to fill in, and it was easy to forget Campbell wasn't on the field.
Lomu wasn't expected to be a first-year starter, despite being a first-round pick, and has spent his time with the Patriots rotating across the offensive line, particularly on the right side. Although he played left tackle in college, the team wants to make him their future right tackle, given they drafted Campbell in 2025, and there's a chance he could replace Morgan Moses when he retires.
Before then, however, he was called up on short notice this week and delivered in a way few expected, given that he has only played on the field as an added lineman and hasn't taken any snaps as a starter.
That changed on Sunday, of course, and at first glance, Lomu appears to be a solid tackle who could help the Patriots for years.
Caleb Lomu proved he could be the real deal for the Patriots' offensive line
According to their in-game tracking and immediate grading, Pro Football Focus credits Lomu with 29 pass-blocking snaps from Sunday's game, allowing just one hurry and one pressure for a 98.0 pass-blocking grade.
It's quite an impressive debut and certainly offers optimism about what he can do if he's given a starting role.
The hope, of course, is that he can bring that kind of production to the right side, since he's unlikely to ever start at left tackle as long as Campbell is on the team, and he can become Moses's successor when the time comes.
It would take a lot of pressure off the front office to find their next starting lineman, since they may already be looking for one after Mike Onwenu's contract ends after the 2026 season. They should re-sign him because he's been their best offensive lineman, but it's unclear where they stand now that he's sidelined with an injury.
Ideally, Onwenu returns on a new contract, and Lomu seamlessly takes over at right tackle next year, rounding out their starting group for the 2027 season and beyond. They could then focus on adding the depth they need, especially after their terrible injury luck this season, which is a much easier and more achievable task than finding suitable starters.
As long as Lomu can replicate this kind of performance when he fills in for Campbell, no matter how long that might be, and when he's asked to play right tackle, using a first-round pick on him this year won't warrant any more criticism than it already has.
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