The New England Patriots are advancing toward their first kickoff on September 9 against the champion Seattle Seahawks. It's a stark reminder of the team that dismantled the wounded Patriots on their way to a convincing 29-13 thrashing.
Besides the injury to star quarterback Drake Maye, other deficiencies were painfully obvious on the Patriots' roster. One was pass protection, and the Patriots used a second consecutive first-round pick on left tackle Caleb Lomu of Utah.
Playing in the NFL is not for the faint of heart. In the best of circumstances, injuries occur to every team and virtually every player to one extent or another. Yet, when it comes to your quarterback, especially if you're endowed with a true MVP-caliber one like Drake Maye, it behooves you to take his protection seriously. If you don't, as in 2025, you'll pay the price.
The Patriots did in full in 2025.
Befittingly, the team used significant offseason resources to augment an O-line that gave up far too many 2025 sacks. They signed a top free agent guard (when he's healthy) in Alijah Vera-Tucker. And as mentioned, they also used their first-round draft pick on Caleb Lomu.
Caleb Lomu will be a key player for the Patriots as soon as this season
Drafting a left tackle in 2026 was a shrewd move by Mike Vrabel and his personnel team. Last year's starter, rookie Will Campbell, had suffered a knee injury that sidelined him for four games and thereafter dramatically impacted his performance.
They needed a solid backup for Campbell and for 35-year-old right tackle Morgan Moses. They got both in Lomu.
In addition, Lomu is taking reps at both tackle spots and at guard out of an abundance of caution. It suggests that Head Coach and top NFL personnel man Vrabel is keenly aware that having not just backups, but top-flight replacements for anyone who goes out with an injury, is key to the team's success. Lomu will likely be the top backup for four O-line positions.
Lomu spoke about his rookie season and how he's learning his job in the NFL.
“I’m either winning or I’m learning. And so those reps that I don’t win all the time, now I’m learning from that. What did I do to lose that rep? And whatever I did, don’t do that again.”
While he didn't mention his multi-role situation as a super backup in 2026 (if he doesn't start outright), his place on the team is far more critical than just an ordinary backup offensive lineman. In fact, how soon Lomu learns his multiple jobs may well help determine the fate of the Patriots in 2026.
There is little doubt that Lomu will be pressed into service when (not if) an offensive lineman is dinged up. It happens, and it's incumbent on the rookie to be ready. Having as accomplished a pass-blocker as Lomu is on hand (he surrendered exactly zero sacks last season in the Big 12) is a monstrous plus.
If Lomu's learning curve is quick, he'll be an asset well worth the high investment of that first-round draft pick. There's no more important job on the team than protecting their franchise quarterback, Drake Maye. If he stays healthy and is given clean pockets from which to throw, the sky is the limit for the 2026 Patriots. If not, it isn't.
That's why Lomu and his educational process is so important.
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