How will Caleb Lomu meet the Patriots’ needs as No. 28 overall pick?

TL;DR

The New England Patriots traded up to select Caleb Lomu as the No. 28 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Lomu is expected to be a swing tackle, helping to protect quarterback Drake Maye and improve the offensive line.

Key points

Patriots traded up from No. 31 to No. 28 to draft Caleb Lomu
Lomu is projected as a swing tackle for the team
He aims to protect quarterback Drake Maye from sacks
Morgan Moses is nearing the end of his career
Will Campbell's performance has raised questions about his starting role

New England PatriotsCaleb LomuDrake MayeMorgan Moses

The New England Patriots were intent on selecting Utah left tackle Caleb Lomu in the 2026 NFL Draft, so much so that they traded up from the No. 31 overall pick to No. 28 overall in order to draft him.

So how will Lomu help the Patriots beginning in 2026?

Lomu gives New England an offensive lineman who projects to be a swing tackle. He has the potential to limit the number of sacks that the Patriots give up to quarterback Drake Maye next season.

Patriots right tackle Morgan Moses is in the twilight of his career, while left tackle Will Campbell has the confidence of his coaching staff despite a poor performance in the Super Bowl at the end of last season that called into question his status as New England’s starter.

Patriots executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf stated after selecting Lomu that Campbell is still the Patriots’ left tackle, which points to Lomu being the potential incumbent for Moses once the veteran right tackle retires.

Lomu did not allow any sacks in 2025 at Utah. He also allowed only eight total pressures on the year. New England needs as much protection for Maye as possible as the franchise looks to capture the elusive Vince Lombardi Trophy next season. Lomu has the potential to strengthen the Patriots’ chances at winning the Super Bowl with the right cultivation of his skills being fostered from the onset in New England.

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Q&A

Why did the Patriots trade up to select Caleb Lomu in the 2026 NFL Draft?

The Patriots traded up to select Lomu to secure a promising offensive lineman who can enhance their protection for quarterback Drake Maye.

What position will Caleb Lomu play for the New England Patriots?

Caleb Lomu is projected to play as a swing tackle for the Patriots, providing depth and versatility on the offensive line.

How does Caleb Lomu's selection impact the Patriots' offensive line?

Lomu's addition is expected to limit sacks on quarterback Drake Maye and address concerns regarding the aging right tackle Morgan Moses.