For the second consecutive year, the New England Patriots used a first-round pick to bolster the trenches. They took Will Campbell No. 4 in 2025, and doubled down on that need with Caleb Lomu at No. 28.
Lomu was the last of seven offensive tackles taken in the first round. As such, trading up to get him prompted some mixed reviews, especially given the Pats' need for another playmaking wide receiver and an edge rusher.
However, the Patriots may have struck gold and solved a major issue with their rookie out of Utah. As he told the media in his introductory press conference, he's there to be a problem solver and not a problem, and all he wants is to play OT, regardless of the side.
The Patriots have finally found their perfect swing tackle
“I just feel myself as a tackle on the left or right side," Lomu affirmed (h/t Patriots on CLNS). "Either tackle position, I'm happy to play and feel comfortable playing.”
Taking a left tackle with Will Campbell there was a somewhat odd decision. Either they had already given up on him and were going to move him to guard, or they were going to force one of them to switch sides and play right tackle.
Then again, that might be a bit short-sighted. Morgan Moses isn't going to be there for much longer, and the Patriots had already added some insurance at left tackle with the arrivals of James Hudson and Alijah Vera-Tucker, who can play all over the line.
That said, modern tackles have to be able to play on both sides of the line. Myles Garrett moves all around the field, so why shouldn't the guys trying to stop him be as well-versed on the right as they are on the quarterback's blindside?
Lomu will give this team the ultimate insurance. He can take over at left tackle if Campbell struggles again, or he can develop on the other side of the line as a long-term solution at right tackle. He can also sub in for both throughout the course of his rookie season, depending on what Mike Vrabel's team might need.
More importantly, unlike plenty of first-round picks, he's made it loud and clear that he's there to learn, work, and do whatever the team needs of him. No ego, no fuss, just a hard-nosed, blue-collar mentality to earn his stripes in the league.
Caleb Lomu was one of the most dominant pass-protectors in the game last season, anchoring the Utes' blindside while Spencer Fano handled things on the right. He gave up a grand total of two sacks in college, none of which came in his final season.
The Patriots had a tough time keeping Drake Maye out of harm's way last season, especially in the playoffs. So, even though this wasn't the sexiest or flashiest pick, it may have actually been the most important.
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