Instant grades for the Patriots drafting OT Caleb Lomu in Round 1

LAWRENCE, KS - NOVEMBER 28: Utah Utes offensive lineman Caleb Lomu (71) after a Big 12 football game between the Utah Utes and Kansas Jayhawks on November 28, 2025 at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, KS. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

For a second straight year, the New England Patriots went offensive tackle in the first round. After picking Will Campbell fourth overall in 2025, they have now added Caleb Lomu out of Utah with the 28th selection in the NFL Draft.

Let’s grade the pick.

Instant grades: Patriots draft OT Caleb Lomu 28th overall

Bernd Buchmasser: With multiple tackles already off the board, the Patriots get aggressive to move up the board to get their guy. Lomu, a left tackle in college, will be their immediate No. 3 at the position and eventually groomed to take over as Morgan Moses’ replacement at right tackle. He needs to get significantly better in run game, but the tools and athleticism are there. | Grade: B

Pat Lane: It’s obvious that the Patriots thought tackle was the most important position for them to address, but I don’t love Lomu as a prospect. He’s young, as he’ll turn 22 in December, and he gets a year to work on his flaws, but I do think there were other spots the Patriots could have targeted. Also, he played LT in college, and the Patriots will obviously be looking to move him to RT to replace Morgan Moses, but if they don’t love Campbell’s progression this year, they could move him back to LT. We’ll see, but the Patriots are choosing athleticism on the offensive line, and Lomu certainly fits that. |