For the second season in a row, the New England Patriots decided to address the offensive line in the NFL Draft, using their first-round pick on a left tackle. In 2025, that was Will Campbell, and in 2026, that ended up being Caleb Lomu.
This comes on the heels of Campbell struggling in his return from injury and throughout the postseason. Despite that, the Patriots seem content to keep him at left tackle. Lomu only played left tackle in college, though. It’s hard to imagine the Patriots don’t want some level of production from their first-round pick as a rookie, but at what position?
If there is some competition between Lomu and Campbell, they didn’t show it on the first night of the draft. Campbell celebrated the pick on social media, and Lomu would not that he was also among the first players to reach out to him after being selected.
Caleb Lomu is Willing to Change Positions for the New England Patriots
GettyNew England Patriots first-round pick Caleb Lomu
In the immediate aftermath of the NFL Draft, Caleb Lomu met with media members. There, he shared that he is willing to change positions if that’s what the team needs.
“Just wanna play,” Caleb Lomu said. “Whatever position is open, I just wanna get out on the field, and get out and play… I’m so excited for the opportunity. I’ll play wherever. I’m coming in to play some football — the game I love. I’m able to play any position. So, wherever the team needs me, I’m gonna be able to play. Just so excited to be part of it.”
Lomu spent three seasons in college, redshirting in 2023 before being the starting left tackle at Utah for his next two seasons. That included earning Freshman All-American and All-Big 12 honors. Still, he’s young and could use some physical development going into the NFL.
Right tackle, rather than left tackle, could become an interesting position to watch moving forward for the Patriots. There, Morgan Moses is now in his mid-30s and is on the back end of his career. He’s a veteran to learn the position behind, if the Patriots want to let Lomu do that. If that’s the case, it would also clear up questions about who plays left tackle long-term for the Patriots.
The Patriots Want to Keep Will Campbell at Left Tackle
GettyNew England Patriots left tackle Will Campbell
While the performance from Will Campbell was poor during the playoffs, the Patriots have consistently stood by him. So, there is a narrative that he could get moved off the spot, but that’s largely coming from outside the building.
“Specifically, when he came back from that injury, I personally didn’t see the same level of lower body strength that you saw before the injury,” EVP of Player Personnel Eliot Wolf said this postseason.
“I think the film (showed) that, like he probably had three of his four worst games in the playoffs. But before that, I thought Will played really well out here. I know everyone talks about the arm length, but he has a set of skills that enable him to play with that arm length. He’s really quick out of his stance. He’s technically sound. He’s adding more and more different pass sets to his tool bag that he can use to combat different rushes. And again, he’s 22 years old, and we expect some improvement out of him as well.”
PFF shared that Campbell had a 72.6 overall PFF grade for the regular season. That was 32nd out of 89 tackles who qualified. He was ranked 23rd as a pass blocker and 39th as a run blocker. There is certainly room for improvement there, but it wasn’t a bad start for a rookie either.
If in the future the Patriots change their mind on Campbell, then it’s good to have Lomu in the building. He offers high upside and experience at left tackle, even if the plan is to move him to the right side.
After Drafting Caleb Lomu, the Patriots Now Have to Figure Out Left Tackle