Caleb Lomu puts team first with strong statement after being drafted

FOXBOROUGH, Mass — It's only been a few hours since Caleb Lomu became a member of the New England Patriots, but the first-round pick is already proving to be a true team player.

Over the past two seasons at Utah, Lomu started at left tackle, not allowing a sack last season. But the Patriots took a left tackle in the first round last year, and Eliot Wolf reaffirmed that Will Campbell is the team’s left tackle.

So, what does that mean for Lomu?

Well, the Patriots view him as a swing tackle, having liked what they saw at his pro day when he worked a bit as a right tackle. And with that, Lomu is ready to do whatever it takes to get on the field and help his team.

"I just want to play. Whatever position's open, I just want to get on the field and get out and play," he said. "I'm so excited for the opportunity. I'll play wherever. I'm coming in to play some football, the game I love. I'm able to play any position, so wherever the team needs me, I'm going to be able to play and just so excited to be part of it."

Lomu described himself as a "very technical player," adding that he studies the game and aims to be prepared each and every time he steps foot on the field.

As an offensive lineman, too, you’ve got to be mean and aggressive, so that's part of my game as well," the Patriots first-round pick added. "But I love to be smart out there. Football's a very physical game, but it's also a very mental game. Having that right mindset being on the field, it's just as important. So, that's how I make sure I focus on that, and I feel like that's what makes me a very good football player."

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This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Caleb Lomu puts team first with strong statement after being drafted