The Patriots opened rookie minicamp Friday without first-round pick Caleb Lomu under contract, creating fresh concern around one of the franchise’s most important offseason additions.
Lomu was selected 28th overall out of Utah State when New England traded up with the Buffalo Bills on draft night to land the offensive tackle, yet he remained unsigned as the club’s three-day rookie camp got underway at Gillette Stadium Friday. While unsigned rookies are not uncommon this time of year, the Patriots’ failure to lock down their new left tackle drew attention as New England opened its minicamp practices under embattled coach Mike Vrabel.
Lomu Among Four Patriots Rookies Without Deals
Lomu is not alone in the holding pattern. Second-round pass rusher Gabe Jacas, third-round tight end Eli Raridon and seventh-round edge rusher Quintayvious Hutchins also entered the weekend without signed contracts. The club announced the signings of five of its nine draft picks Friday: cornerback Karon Prunty, offensive tackle Dametrious Crownover, linebacker Namdi Obiazor, quarterback Behren Morton and running back Jam Miller. But that left the Patriots‘ selections from the first three rounds unsigned.
On the field Saturday, however, Lomu lined up at left tackle, a positive development for a franchise counting on him to anchor the blind side. But the news around his fellow unsigned draftees was more troubling. ESPN‘s Mike Reiss reported that Jacas and Raridon did not participate in practice Saturday, while Hutchins left the field with head athletic trainer Jim Whalen. No timetable or explanation was offered for any of the absences.
Lomu addressed the media Thursday after being introduced at Gillette Stadium alongside owner Robert Kraft and team president Jonathan Kraft. His focus was on football, not paperwork.
“Short term, coming as a rookie, I’m going to be a sponge, learn everything that I can,” Lomu told reporters, as quoted by MassLive Patriots beat writer Mark Daniels. “Talk with the vets, see what their routine is.”
New England’s Rookie Camp and What Comes Next for Lomu
Lomu’s eventual signing is likely not in doubt. First-round picks sign their contracts every season, and holdouts at this stage of the offseason are largely unheard of. Each of the five deals that did get done Friday carries a standard four-year structure. The Bills, who traded the pick that became Lomu, had their own unsigned rookies entering minicamp, including second-round cornerback Davison Igbinosun and fourth-rounders Jude Bowry and Skyler Bell, according to Sports Illustrated‘s Alex Brasky.
Still, the broader picture in Foxborough may be worth considering. New England envisions Lomu on the offensive line, eventually replacing veteran Morgan Moses, who turns 35 this offseason. Moses spent last season mentoring the young tackles around him, even hauling his personal hyperbaric chamber to the facility when Will Campbell suffered a torn MCL in 2025.
Lomu made clear Thursday that the Super Bowl is his target.
“Long term, of course, get back to where we were last year and get a win,” he said. “Super Bowl is my biggest goal that I want for me and the team. That’s what I’ve always wanted since I was a kid.”
Patriots Hit With Troublesome Update on First-Round Pick Amid Minicamp