The Patriots selection of Caleb Lomu at No. 28 overall is a classic future starter pick by Eliot Wolf and the Patriots’ front office. While the roster has immediate needs, the 2026 NFL Draft is about securing the infrastructure for Drake Maye’s long-term success.
Here is why the Utah tackle is a home run pick for the Patriots.
1. The Heir Apparent to Morgan Moses: At 35 years old and entering his 13th season, Morgan Moses is the definition of a short-term solution. By trading up to snag Lomu at the end of the first round, the Patriots have secured a high-ceiling successor without the pressure of a Day 1 start. Lomu can spend 2026 refining his technique and adding necessary mass to his 313-pound frame while serving as a premium swing tackle behind Moses and Will Campbell.
2. Elite Athleticism for the Modern NFL: Lomu isn’t just a big body; he is a rare athlete for the position. His testing at the 2026 Combine put him in the upper echelon of offensive line prospects:
40-Yard Dash: 4.99 seconds (89th percentile)
Broad Jump: 9’5″ (90th percentile)
Vertical: 32.5″ (90th percentile)
This elite agility makes him a perfect fit for a zone-heavy scheme. He has the foot speed to reach the second level on duo runs and the recovery quickness to mirror NFL-caliber speed rushers on an island—traits that are non-negotiable when protecting a franchise quarterback.
Patriots VP of Football Ops Eliot Wolf said guys like Lomu are not usually available at the bottom of the first round.
” We feel like he has the athletic ability and talent to come in and earn a role somewhere, but he has the athletic ability, talent, strength and upside to kind of play anywhere on the line. And again, we’re just really thrilled. Big athletes like this are hard to come by, especially later in the in the first round like this. I don’t want to set him up for any wild comparisons or anything like that, but just really, really happy that we were able to acquire him.”
3. Statistical Dominance in Pass Protection: While Lomu is often labeled “developmental” due to his lean build, his production in the Big 12 tells a different story. In 2025, he allowed zero sacks and only eight pressures on 383 pass-blocking snaps.
Lomu says he is excited to be blocking for Drake Maye.
“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.”
4. Positional Versatility: The Patriots have always valued positional flexibility and Lomu provides it in spades. Though he played primarily at left tackle for the Utes, his impressive Pro Day reps at right tackle and his 33 3/8″ arms have some scouts projecting he could even kick inside to guard or center in a pinch. This versatility ensures that even if he doesn’t crack the starting tackle rotation immediately, he provides high-floor insurance across the entire front five.
5. High Football IQ: Despite being a redshirt sophomore, Lomu’s awareness against stunts and twists is advanced for his age. His ability to diagnose blitzes and pass off defenders in the heat of a play is a trait that usually takes years to develop. For a Patriots offense that struggled with protection breakdowns last season, adding a “cerebral” blocker to the room is just as important as adding a physical one.
Lomu says it is important to balance toughness with intelligence.
” I’m a very technical player. I study the game really hard. I like to be very prepared out there so I know what I’m going to do, what to expect, so I’m able to move faster and play faster. As an offensive lineman, too, you’ve got to be mean and aggressive, so that’s part of my game as well. 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.”
The Bottom Line: Lomu has the elite athletic profile of a Top-15 pick but fell to No. 28 because of a need for more strength and bulk. Under the tutelage of the Patriots’ coaching staff, he has every tool necessary to become a decade-long bookend for Drake Maye. He can add 5 to 8 more pounds on his frame and still play at a high level athletically.