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SALT LAKE CITY, UT - AUGUST 29: Caleb Lomu #71 of the Utah Utes does a drill during warmups before their game against the Southern Utah Thunderbirds at Rice Eccles Stadium on August 29, 2024 in Salt Lake City, Utah.(Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
The New England Patriots drafted Caleb Lomu with the 28th overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft. They traded with the Buffalo Bills in order to get Lomu. The Bills got picks 31 and 125 in exchange for the 28th overall pick. In exchange, the Patriots got Lomu, an accomplished offensive lineman.
He did not allow a single sack across 383 pass-blocking snaps. This included allowing only eight total pressures the entire season. He was also a massive part of the Utah running game. The Utah product also contributed to his stout running game, including when the Utes ran for 422 rushing yards against Colorado and 380 yards against Baylor.
His work did not go unrecognized. He was an All-Big 12 First-Team selection. He was also a finalist for the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year award. Postseason accolades kept coming, as he was a semifinalist for the Outland trophy and was a four-time member of the Big 12 Offensive Line of the Week unit with Utah.
Now, he is a member of the Patriots, and his reaction is priceless.
THIS MOMENT 🥹@CalebLomu51 | @Utah_Football pic.twitter.com/aDRJprfFky
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) April 24, 2026
Patriots Fill Multiple Needs With Lomu Pick
The Patriots have made clear that Will Campbell is still the starting left tackle. This means that Lomu could be an option on the right side. Morgan Moses is 35 years old. This gives the Patriots another player to be able to develop at the right tackle position
Lomu also displayed the ability to play multiple positions in college. He played 1582 steps at left tackle during his college career. He had 32 snaps at right tackle as well. He also appeared in special-teams duty during his true freshman redshirt year.
It remains to be seen how this paper will play out at the professional level. Nevertheless, it does give the Patriots an opportunity for versatility in the offensive line. The Patriots value these types of players, and he will have a chance to grow on what is a very young but talented offensive line. The Patriots were able to fill multiple needs with this selection, and it will be fun to see how this all plays out.
Danny Jaillet Danny Jaillet is a sportswriter with more than 15 years experience in the industry. He has been featured on Fox Sports, USA Today, and Yahoo Sports among others. He graduated from Worcester State University with a B.A. in communications and a minor in writing. More about Danny Jaillet