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New England Patriots EVP of Player Personnel Eliot Wolf shared that the team plans on looking into trading up in the second round.

The New England Patriots were busy on the first night of the NFL Draft, trading up in the first round to land offensive lineman Caleb Lomu. There’s no time to rest, though, as rounds two and three are set for Friday.

For Patriots EVP of Player Personnel Eliot Wolf, there is still plenty of work to do and several key positions to add at. Given how much draft stock the team has on Day 3 of the draft, he also has ammunition to make a major move in the second round.

“I think that’s a possibility. We like to have as many picks as we can, and obviously, we gave one up. So, I don’t know how likely that is,” Wolf said. “But again, if it’s the right thing for us, which we felt that this one was, I certainly wouldn’t rule it out.”

By no means is that a promise. It’s more of an open door, particularly if the Patriots think they need to do it to land the best possible player for the team.

The New England Patriots Made a Splash Trading in the First Round

It would be reported after the first round that the New England Patriots had canceled a visit with Caleb Lomu. They figured it would be a waste of time because there wasn’t a chance that he would slide to them at the end of the first round.

So, when Lomu was still on the board at No. 28 overall, Wolf and the Patriots decided to strike. In a deal with the Buffalo Bills, who traded down multiple times, the Patriots sent the No. 31 pick and the No. 125 pick.

The Patriots had entered the NFL Draft with 11 picks. After the trade, they were down to 10, which is still not a bad number to have in their pocket. They also had Lomu, who should help fill in long-term needs along the offensive line.

Caleb Lomu is Excited to Play Alongside Drake Maye

In the immediate aftermath of being drafted by the Patriots, Caleb Lomu was emotional. There was excitement not just to be in the organization, but to have the opportunity to play alongside and block for Drake Maye.

“I’m so excited for that,” Lomu said. “Younger quarterback coming in. Such an amazing player. I mean, what they’ve got going there, especially on their offense, I’m going to be a part of and just their team, they’re on the rise. It’s amazing. Drake Maye is such a talented quarterback. I’m so excited to be able to work with him every day, be able to protect him.”

Pass protection became an issue for the Patriots’ offensive line last season, particularly in the playoffs. That also happens to be Lomu’s calling card. So, even if he needs some refinement, it appears to be a good match.

“I’m a protector,” Lomu said. “I’m an offensive lineman. It’s my job to protect that guy. 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.”

If Lomu can be that protector for Maye, then Wolf and company will have the chance to focus their attention elsewhere in the second round. That’s regardless of if they trade or not.