The Patriots spent another first-round pick on the offensive line, and Caleb Lomu may already be turning that investment into a real roster puzzle for Mike Vrabel.
New England used the No. 4 pick in 2025 on LSU’s Will Campbell, then went back to the same well a couple of months ago by trading up for Lomu at No. 28. The message was clear: protecting Drake Maye is the priority in Foxborough.
Lomu’s path to this point looked different from that of fellow Utah Ute Spencer Fano, who went No. 9 and is set to take over the blind-side role that once belonged to Lomu. In the pros, Lomu is expected to start at right tackle, though the Patriots have also tried him at guard and even at jumbo tight end.
What’s making him stand out now is the way he’s handled the transition. Audacy’s Justin Turpin reported that veteran teammates have taken notice of his work, and one of them, Alijah Vera-Tucker, had plenty of praise for the rookie.
“Really good player. I like his attitude.
He’s not a guy who is going to complain or let his bad plays get to him,” Alijah Vera-Tucker said. “He’s going to move on to the next one.
And that’s what you need in this league. He does a good job of just keeping his head down and paying attention.
When his role is called, he’ll be ready.”
The production backed up the reputation in college. Lomu allowed zero sacks across 357 pass-blocking snaps in his final season, and he gave up just two the year before. That kind of consistency helped anchor one of the CFP’s toughest offensive fronts after he became a starter.
For now, Campbell still sits at the top of the left tackle depth chart. His rookie year had its ups and downs, and his shorter arms remain a talking point, but the Patriots are sticking with him there.
Still, Lomu has a real opening to push for playing time next season. Morgan Moses, who is 35, looks like the most obvious odd man out, even with one year left on his three-year, $24 million deal. That contract could also make him a trade chip for teams looking for help in the trenches.
New England is already easing Moses’ workload in training camp, and that has created more chances for Lomu to move up. Moses has also embraced the rookie’s arrival.
“Caleb has been a big addition to our offensive line. Just getting him comfortable and letting him understand that we’re going to work together.
We’re going to work together on the field and in the film room, too,” Moses said. “He’s done a great job just coming in and putting his best foot forward.”
There’s risk in going young at tackle, especially for a team trying to get back into Super Bowl contention. But Vrabel is the kind of coach who will play the best option in front of him, no matter the résumé.
That’s how the Patriots ended up with the opposite problem from a year ago: instead of scrambling for bodies up front, they may now have too many. Vera-Tucker can even kick out to tackle if Campbell needs to slide inside.
Lomu still has to prove it when the games count, but the early signs are hard to ignore. He’s learning fast, working hard, and making this offensive line picture a lot more crowded than the Patriots probably expected.
In Other News...
Patriots Rookie Is Suddenly Shaking Up A Supposedly Settled QB Battle
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Early training camp reports have made that picture less tidy. Morton has been getting more work than expected, and DeVitos uneven accuracy has opened the door for the rookie to climb the depth chart faster than anyone might have assumed when camp began. [Read more 🡒]
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He got one in a recent practice, when Drake Maye found him for two touchdowns and Williams finally showed the kind of pop that can change how a camp is viewed. The bigger question now is whether he can keep stacking days like that, because for a player fighting to hold onto his place, one strong practice only matters if it leads to more consistency. [Read more 🡒]
Patriots Rookie Is Already Bringing Exactly What Drake Maye Needs
Caleb Lomus early days in New England have already given the Patriots a clear sense of why they used a first-round pick on him. The rookie is in the mix at right tackle and has been leaning on veteran Morgan Moses for guidance while he learns the job, all with an eye toward bringing more edge and consistency to an offensive line that needs it. Lomu has also been getting work at multiple spots up front, a useful sign for a team trying to build depth and keep its young quarterback upright.
For Drake Maye, the appeal is obvious. A tackle who plays with physicality, finishes blocks and can handle more than one spot gives the Patriots a better chance to stabilize the protection in front of him. The question now is how quickly Lomu can turn that promise into a real role, especially with Moses in the same competition and the rookie still in the middle of his development curve. [Read more 🡒]