The Patriots' objectives in the 2026 NFL Draft were clear, and after three days and nine picks, they hit on every position of need ahead of the season.
Prioritizing the offensive line in the early rounds was again the best course of action, as it was in 2025, and it led them to select Caleb Lomu, a left tackle from Utah with the skill set to serve as a swing tackle.
Because they used their first-rounder on Will Campbell the year before, the assumption was that they brought in Lomu to switch to right tackle, a point Mike Vrabel and Eliot Wolf confirmed during the offseason. The rookie spent time on the right side in the summer and progressed in a way that made it look like he could replace Morgan Moses next year.
However, uncertainty about Campbell as the undisputed left tackle couldn't be silenced, especially after his playoff and Super Bowl performances. That led many to wonder whether Lomu would be the better player, and after he faced the Raiders following Campbell's injury, the conversation only grew louder.
Knowing he will continue at left tackle while Campbell is out, and that he could still play at a high level, could make it a difficult decision for the Patriots' coaching staff.
The Patriots' offense might be headed toward a difficult decision with their offensive line
From the moment Lomu was selected in the first round, there was talk that he would be a better long-term protector of Drake Maye's blindside than Campbell, even before he set foot on an NFL field.
Campbell's bounce-back performance against some of the league's toughest defensive lines silenced much of that debate. He was arguably the best lineman through five games, making it even more devastating that he re-injured the same knee he sprained last winter.
He will reportedly miss some time and is considered week-to-week; fortunately, the Patriots have Lomu ready to take over as a starter. He impressed against the Raiders' defensive line last week, and now he'll face the Jets on Sunday, who have a rising pass rush to slow him down.
Based on how he fared last week, Lomu looks up to the challenge, and if he continues to play that well, the idea that he could steal Campbell's job shouldn't be overlooked.
That doesn't mean it will happen anytime soon, if at all, since Campbell has played well enough to start the year. But the coaching staff will always have it in the back of their minds if things go south again for the second-year player, and even more so if Lomu plays in a way that makes them forget Campbell isn't on the field.
He will have another chance to prove it on Sunday, as the Patriots hope to get another divisional win, this time against the Jets, who are playing much better than anyone expected this year.
If Lomu can continue what he started against the Raiders, then a tough decision may be on the horizon between now and Campbell's return. It's a situation they don't necessarily want, but having too much talent on the offensive line is never a bad thing.
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