The New England Patriots have just about completed their 2026 offseason. In an effort to take the roster to a new level, the Patriots traded up to land their top need, an offensive tackle, Caleb Lomu of Utah, to further protect franchise quarterback Drake Maye.
He was a player in demand. As Dane Brugler of The Athletic noted, the Patriots weren't the only team looking to trade up for the Utah Utes star, Lomu.
The Patriots didn't do much in free agency to strengthen the offensive line. They added guard Alijah Vera-Tucker, a good player when he plays, but he's injury-prone and can't stay on the field. He's a question mark. The only other offensive line addition of any note was James Hudson III, a backup tackle who didn't move the Patriots' needle at all.
The need to add an offensive tackle or two was clear and pressing, as was the need to add a guard. They whiffed on drafting a guard but did take two tackles, including Lomu at the top of their draft. The other is a massive tackle from Texas A&M, Dametrious Crownover, who may surprise.
But the jewel of the offensive draft was Lomu, and he was a terrific pick.
Caleb Lomu will immediately step into the swing tackle role
The Patriots' Job One this offseason was to reinforce a sieve-like offensive line that gave up sacks in bunches in 2025. They surrendered 47 in the regular season and another horrendous 21 in the postseason, including six in the Super Bowl loss to the Seahawks. Drake Maye, when he wasn't sacked, was harassed on almost every play. Clean pockets were scarce.
The Patriots had to go to work on the offensive line. First, they broomed reliable veteran center Garrett Bradbury and will ostensibly replace him with 2025's left guard, Jared Wilson. He hasn't played center since 2024 at Georgia and is a question mark.
Then they added the mentioned Vera-Tucker. With left tackle Will Campbell returning from a knee injury and right tackle Morgan Moses playing in his year-35 season, the upgrades on the poor 2025 unit in free agency were weak.
Thankfully, Lomu was their first-round pick after a trade with Buffalo to move up to pick No. 28 to get him. Few had suggested in mock drafts that Lomu would slide to the Patriots at 31.
Their move to trade up was sound. And, as Brugler notes, they weren't alone in trying to get that done. "Caleb Lomu was a strong pick, especially with several teams attempting to trade up to get him."
Any criticism of the pick, given that the Patriots have two tackles who will likely start, is missing the point. Lomu will immediately slot into the top swing tackle role, backing up both tackles. Campbell remains an injury risk, and Lomu played left tackle very effectively for the Utes.
He gave up zero sacks in 2025. Should Campbell get injured, he can step right into the left tackle position as his replacement. Meanwhile, he'll also be insurance for Moses, who's not getting any younger.
The Patriots' draft hit their three most critical positions of need, offensive tackle, edge, and tight end, before going off the rails on Day 3. Offensive tackle was their top priority, and they drafted one of the best in the draft, the positionally flexible Lomu.
Trading up for him was an astute move that will pay off. Offensive linemen get hurt and miss games. Lomu will be there to spell either starting tackle who may go out, and he'll step into a starting role in 2027. That pick made all the sense in the world.
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