FOXBOROUGH – Drake Maye is probably sleeping a little better on Thursday night.
The Patriots selected Utah offensive lineman Caleb Lomu with the 28th overall pick during the first round of the NFL Draft. New England originally had the 31st pick, but traded that and pick No. 125 to Buffalo, moving up to get Lomu.
Last season, Lomu didn’t allow a single sack in his final run as a Ute.
The 6’6″ 313lb. sophomore (although, he says he played at 307), started all 12 games at left tackle (allowing just eight pressures too), but Eliot Wolf quickly shot down the notion that Will Campbell would be going anywhere.
“Yeah, I mean, Will [Campbell]’s the left tackle,” he said. “And like I said, Caleb has some versatility. So, we feel like some of the Pro Day workouts that he did were on the right side and we were comfortable with that. But again, he’s very athletic, so I don’t think either side will be a problem for him.”
Lomu met with the media virtually about 10 minutes after being taken and said that Campbell had already texted him, even though they’ve never met.
“He was probably the first person to text me when I looked at my phone after, then it kind of started to blow up a little bit. But I’ve never talked to him before. I do follow him on social media, and I’ve always followed his journey from college,” Lomu explained. “So, the fact I’m able to go to work with him now is, it’s amazing. But we didn’t know each other beforehand.”
Wolf acknowledged that the team was surprised Lomu was still available where he was, which is why they made the move up to make sure they got more protection for QB1.
“Ryan [Cowden] and Matt Groh did a great job of kind of working the phones and trying to understand where the value was. And ultimately, with Caleb still on the board, we just felt like giving up the extra pick to make sure that we could acquire him was important,” said Wolf.
“Again, there’s still some good players at the tackle and guard as well, but we felt like there was a drop off and we felt like, again, just the best player available type situation for us at that point.”
The team was so confident in the fact that they wouldn’t have a shot at Lomu late in the first round, they canceled a pre-draft 30 visit with him. It’s a fairly common occurrence, but still highlights just how surprised everyone was once things unfolded the way they did on Thursday night.
“No, I wasn’t shocked by that or thought differently,” Lomu said of the canceled visit. “I had a really good visit with them at the Combine. I think maybe it was just to check my medical, but I had a clean medical. So, it didn’t throw me by surprise. I always thought they were still in the mix, and of course they were. But I’m very happy they were still in the mix and still wanted me.”
Lomu also said he’ll play wherever he’s needed.
“Yeah, I feel great. I just want to play. Whatever position’s open, I just want to get on the field and get out and play,” he said. “Will Campbell already sent me a text. I haven’t been able to respond yet, but I love that. Being able to come into a room, they just drafted him last year. Two guys I’m going to be able to learn from, newer guys.
“So, 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.”
As far as protecting Maye, Lomu gave a fairly similar answer to the one Campbell did when he was drafted and asked about No. 10.
“I’m so excited for that. Younger quarterback coming in, such an amazing player. I mean, what they’ve got going there, especially their offense that I’ll be a part of, and just a team, they’re on the rise and it’s amazing,” Lomu added. “Drake Maye, such a talented quarterback. I’m so excited to be able to work with him every day, be able to protect him.
“I’m a protector, I’m an offensive lineman – it’s my job to protect that guy, and I’m going to do everything that I can to protect him. So, being able to go to work with him now is going to be amazing.”
Given the beating he took in Santa Clara two months ago, Maye will almost assuredly sleep a little better tonight with his newest added protection.