{"id":151974,"date":"2026-04-24T12:46:14","date_gmt":"2026-04-24T16:46:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/?p=151974"},"modified":"2026-04-24T18:05:29","modified_gmt":"2026-04-24T22:05:29","slug":"2026-patriots-rookie-profile-ot-caleb-lomu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/?p=151974","title":{"rendered":"2026 Patriots Rookie Profile: OT Caleb Lomu"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Patriots drafted a 1st-round tackle for the second year in a row, but they made a splash<\/a> doing it.<\/p>\n

After making a rare in-division trade, moving up to the 28th pick by sending 1st (31st overall) and 4th (125th overall) rounders to the Buffalo Bills, New England selected Utah blindside protector Caleb Lomu<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

“I’m really excited about this player,” EVP of Player Personnel Eliot Wolf<\/strong> said on Thursday. “He’s young, he’s experienced, he’s athletic, he’s a great kid. Frankly, I was a little surprised that he was still available, and that’s why we decided to move up a little bit. We’re excited to add him.”<\/p>\n

Wolf noted that Lomu has the talent, strength, and upside to play multiple spots on the line this season. He also said Lomu’s pro day and Zoom meetings showed his potential to flip sides as Morgan Moses<\/strong>‘ eventual successor. The 21-year-old isn’t the people-mover OC Josh McDaniels<\/strong> typically deploys on the right side, but he flashes a nasty demeanor while bringing impressive mobility, recovery skills, and pass pro acumen.<\/p>\n

“I’m a very technical player,” Lomu said after being drafted. “I study the game really hard. I like to be very prepared out there, so I know what I’m going to do, what to expect, so I’m able to move faster and play faster. As an offensive lineman, too, you\u2019ve got to be mean and aggressive, so that’s part of my game as well. But I love to be smart out there. Football’s a very physical game, but it’s also a very mental game. Having that right mindset being on the field, it’s just as important. So, that’s how I make sure I focus on that, and I feel like that’s what makes me a very good football player.”<\/p>\n

Here’s a profile of Lomu’s background, testing, production, reports from NFL draft analysts, and a projected timeline for his rookie contract.<\/p>\n

LT Caleb Lomu, Utah (#71)<\/h2>\n
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#Patriots<\/a> OT Caleb Lomu (#71) blocking LBs\/DBs pic.twitter.com\/xzxOhSFVd0<\/a><\/p>\n

— Taylor Kyles (@tkyles39) April 24, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n