The Patriots have spent the past couple of years investing heavily in the trenches, and the logic is easy to see: protect Drake Maye, control the line, control the game. They’ve already used two first-round picks to help keep him upright.
But while New England has been aggressive with Will Campbell, it has taken a far more cautious approach with Caleb Lomu. Nine weeks into the season, that patience may be running out.
Morgan Moses has been a useful player for a long time, but the tape is starting to look like the tape of a veteran on the back end of his career. The Patriots may have hoped he could hold down right tackle all season while Lomu developed behind him, yet the repeated breakdowns are making that plan harder to justify. At some point, the rookie has to get the chance.
That’s especially true because Moses has become the weak spot on an offensive line that can’t afford one. He still brings value as a veteran presence, and teams need that kind of leadership. But leadership only goes so far when a blocker is consistently getting beat and failing to stand up to pressure.
The Patriots haven’t exactly had a clean situation up front, either. Injuries have hit the group, so Moses isn’t carrying the entire burden by himself.
Still, Lomu has shown enough in limited action to make the case for a bigger role, and his college résumé backs it up. He was one of the nation’s best left tackles in his final year.
What made Lomu appealing coming out was the blend of traits. He had an elite anchor, could mirror pass rushers, and despite his size, moved with real fluidity. He’s light on his feet, can pull, can work at the second level, and has the kind of movement skills that could help a running game that hasn’t exactly impressed.
He’s not finished product, of course. His run blocking can still be inconsistent, and stronger bull rushers can give him trouble.
But that’s part of the point: the only way he gets better is by playing. And if the alternative is watching Moses struggle against quicker, more agile rushers, the Patriots may already know enough.
Drake Maye’s rough showing in the loss to the Packers didn’t help matters, but the quarterback wasn’t getting much support from the line, either. It’s hard for any quarterback to make clean decisions when the pocket keeps collapsing around him.
Moses probably understood this could be the end of the road. He’s had a solid career.
Now the Patriots need to decide whether they want to keep leaning on the veteran or finally let the younger option take over. If Lomu is their right tackle of the future, there’s no reason to keep waiting to find out.
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Corey Kiner Suddenly Has A Real Opening In Patriots Backfield
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For an offense trying to keep Drake Maye from carrying too much of the load, Kiners emergence could be a useful pressure valve. The Patriots have been searching for steady answers on the ground, and his recent production has at least given them a reason to believe there is something worth building on if the opportunities keep coming. [Read more 🡒]