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NFL
NFL Insider âWondersâ If New England Patriots Have Already Given Up On Top Draft Pick
TL;DR
The New England Patriots may be reconsidering their investment in top draft pick Will Campbell after selecting Caleb Lomu in the 2026 NFL Draft. NFL insider Tony Pauline speculates that Lomu's arrival could indicate the team has given up on Campbell just one year after he was picked fourth overall.
Key points
- Patriots had a successful 2025 season, reaching Super Bowl LX
- Will Campbell was the fourth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft
- Campbell struggled with five sacks allowed in regular season
- Caleb Lomu was selected 32nd overall in the 2026 NFL Draft
- Speculation exists about the Patriots' confidence in Campbell
New England Patriots
Even though they came short of their ultimate goals, last year was a profound success for the New England Patriots. In the first season after going from Jerod Mayo to Mike Vrabel, the Patriots went from 4-13 to 14-3, reaching Super Bowl LX in the process.
However, not all aspects of the Patriotsâ transition went smoothly. Some moves didnât pan out the way the team imagined.
One of those decisions the Patriots may be regretting was making LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell the fourth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. While he was starting at left tackle as a 21-year-old rookie, Campbell allowed five sacks during the regular season and another four in the playoffs. In other words, he had some growing pains as a first-year pro.
Recently, the Patriots selected Utah offensive tackle Caleb Lomu with the 32nd overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Is he arriving in New England as someone who will push Campbell at the left tackle position, or is Lomu being looked at as a potential long-term replacement for right tackle, Morgan Moses, who is 35? Lomu played 1,582 snaps at left tackle in college, compared to just 18 at right tackle.
Shortly after the draft concluded, Essentially Sportsâ NFL insider Tony Pauline dropped an interesting nugget regarding how the Patriots may view Campbell internally. Specifically, he wonders if the Lomu selection means the Patriots have already âgiven up on Campbell,â one year after making him the fourth overall pick.
âFrom a scouting perspective, Lomu may need some time before heâs ready to step on the NFL field, as he must get a lot stronger, but his upside is incredible. Then thereâs the fact that the Pats selected Will Campbell with the fourth pick in last yearâs draft. And while he struggled late in the season, one has to wonder if New England has already given up on him.â
Tony Pauline on Will Campbell
Teams donât just give up on No. 4 picks after just one season, especially at positions that often feature a longer learning curve going from college to the NFL. Weâre guessing the Patriots arenât anywhere close to giving up on Campbell either.
Q&A
Why did the New England Patriots select Caleb Lomu in the 2026 NFL Draft?
The Patriots selected Caleb Lomu to potentially push Will Campbell at left tackle or serve as a long-term replacement for right tackle Morgan Moses.
What were Will Campbell's performance issues in his rookie season?
Will Campbell allowed five sacks during the regular season and four in the playoffs, indicating he faced significant challenges as a rookie.
Is there speculation that the Patriots have given up on Will Campbell?
Yes, NFL insider Tony Pauline suggests that the selection of Caleb Lomu might mean the Patriots have already given up on Campbell after just one season.
