The Patriots’ rookie class is still in the early stages of its NFL life, but at least one recent ranking wasn’t especially kind to the group’s top two headliners.
After OTAs and mandatory minicamp, On SI’s Justin Melo stacked the first 50 picks from the first two rounds and landed on a pair of New England rookies who came in lower than their draft slots might suggest. Utah offensive tackle Caleb Lomu, taken 28th overall, checked in at 35th. Illinois edge rusher Gabe Jacas, selected 55th overall, landed at 47th.
That puts the Patriots in a mixed spot. Lomu’s ranking is more of a wait-and-see evaluation than a knock on his talent.
He played left tackle for Utah, but there isn’t an obvious opening for him in New England right now. Will Campbell has the left side locked down entering his second season, and veteran Morgan Moses has handled the other edge well enough to keep the path clear for now.
Lomu has taken reps at both tackle spots this spring and has also seen some work at guard, but he still hasn’t been placed into a starting role. Melo framed him as a player who won’t be rushed.
"The New England Patriots aren't asking first-round pick Caleb Lomu to play right away," Melo wrote. "He'll be their swing tackle as a rookie while preparing to replace aging right tackle Morgan Moses next season. That plan should work out nicely for Lomu, who is still developing his profile after displaying some rawness on tape."
Head coach Mike Vrabel has been upbeat about the rookie’s progress. "He’s been an unbelievably coachable player.
He’s young, he’s big, he’s athletic and he’s willing to learn," Vrabel said earlier in the offseason. "He’s excited about learning.
Where he plays, we want to end up with the five best linemen. He’ll have the ability to play both sides."
So while Lomu’s placement feels a little conservative, it also tracks with the reality of his situation. He was the final offensive tackle taken in a deep college class, and the Patriots are clearly treating him like a developmental piece rather than an instant fix.
Jacas is a different story.
His ranking at 47th out of 50 might not sound especially harsh on the surface, but the circumstances around him make it stand out. The Patriots traded three picks to move up and get him, yet he still hasn’t signed his rookie contract, has only been present for one offseason practice and did not participate, and Vrabel described him as going through a "procedure."
Melo highlighted the upside in his scouting note. "Gabe Jacas was a situational pass rusher with tremendous burst and power off the line.
He compiled 11 sacks this past season at Illinois," he wrote. "Once officially signed to his rookie contract, the New England Patriots will be getting an edge defender who can eventually replace Harold Landry III and/or Dre'Mont Jones."
The talent is obvious enough. Jacas has the traits to become a problem off the edge, and second-round picks waiting on contract details is hardly unheard of. Still, with the rookie absent from team activities since May’s rookie minicamp, there isn’t much to celebrate yet.
For now, the Patriots are left with two rookies whose rankings say as much about timing as ability. Lomu looks like a patient project.
Jacas looks like a delayed arrival. Both still have time to change the conversation once the 2026 season finally gets here.
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