8 thoughts on Patriots first-round draft pick Caleb Lomu

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 27: Caleb Lomu of Utah poses for a portrait during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 27, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Logan Bowles/Getty Images) | Getty Images Even though they have two starting tackles on their roster, the New England Patriots entered Thursday night with a definitive need at the position. Morgan Moses, who started all 21 games at right tackle last season, turned 35 in March, which means his days in the NFL are definitively numbered.

And so, finding a replacement was high up on the Patriots’ list entering the 2026 draft. And with the 28th overall selection, following a short trade up the board, they picked their guy: Caleb Lomu out of Utah . We have spoken at great length about Lomu so far, from what his selection means , to his strengths and weaknesses , to his impact on the rest of the roster and his position group in particular , to why the Patriots might have been drawn to him .

So, with all that out of the way and the focus quickly shifting to the second and third rounds on Friday, let’s clean out the notebook from what was a busy Day 1. Open to any position Lomu spent three seasons at Utah, starting 24 games and playing over 1,600 offensive snaps. A majority of those came at left tackle; he actually was one of the few pure left tackles in the first round of this year’s draft.

The Patriots, of course, have a left tackle. Will Campbell was drafted fourth overall in 2025 to serve as quarterback Drake Maye’s blindside protector — a role he held throughout his rookie campaign and will resume as a sophomore as well. So, why was Lomu picked if he is not a natural right tackle?