NE Caleb Lomu
NFL player. Position: Offensive Tackle. Team: NE.
Quick Facts
- Position: Offensive Tackle
- Team: NE (New England Patriots)
- Draft: 28th overall (1st round), 2026 NFL Draft
- College: University of Utah
2026 Outlook
Caleb Lomu was selected 28th overall in the 2026 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots after the team traded up from the 31st pick. A natural left tackle from the University of Utah (spending 98% of his snaps in that role), Lomu enters his rookie campaign as a swing backup behind Will Campbell (LT) and Morgan Moses (RT). The Patriots' plan is to have Lomu develop as a backup in 2026 before eventually taking over right tackle in 2027 when the 35-year-old Moses ages out. This timeline could accelerate depending on training camp performance and potential injuries. At 22 years old (only 11 months younger than fellow first-rounder Will Campbell), Lomu has a long window to develop into a franchise cornstone tackle. His flexibility—potential to play either tackle spot or even guard—gives the Patriots optionality in their long-term offensive line construction. (per Patriots offensive line, reset with first-round pick Caleb Lomu in the mix)
SI analyst Justin Melo ranked Lomu 35th among the top 50 draft picks, below other first-round offensive linemen like Max Iheanachor (Pittsburgh) and Kadyn Proctor (Miami), citing his unclear path to starting time in 2026 and developmental trajectory (per Patriots Rookies Get Less-Than-Ideal Placements In Latest Rankings).
Role / Depth Chart
Offensive tackle. Expected starter at right tackle for the Patriots.
Recent News
- 2026-05-28 — Patriots plan for rookie tackle Caleb Lomu comes into focus at OTAs (Patriots plan for rookie tackle Caleb Lomu comes into focus at OTAs)
- 2026-04-24 — Patriots offensive line, reset with first-round pick Caleb Lomu in the mix (Patriots offensive line, reset with first-round pick Caleb Lomu in the mix)
- 2026-06-12 — Way-too-early Patriots roster projection after spring practices (Way-too-early Patriots roster projection after spring practices)
- 2026-04-20 — 2026 NFL mock draft: Jordan Reid's predictions for 257 picks (2026 NFL mock draft: Jordan Reid's predictions for 257 picks)
- 2026-06-09 — Patriots Mandatory Minicamp Primer: Roster Battles, Rising Rookies and Players To Watch (Patriots Mandatory Minicamp Primer: Roster Battles, Rising Rookies and Players To Watch)
- 2026-05-04 — Browns' Shedeur Sanders among 26 NFL veterans on thin ice after 2026 draft (Browns' Shedeur Sanders among 26 NFL veterans on thin ice after 2026 draft)
- 2026-04-23 — Chicago Bears select safety Dillon Thieneman from Oregon with No. 25 pick in 2026 NFL... (Chicago Bears select safety Dillon Thieneman from Oregon with No. 25 pick in 2026 NFL...)
- 2026-04-19 — 4 veterans Titans could put on notice with early 2026 NFL Draft choices (4 veterans Titans could put on notice with early 2026 NFL Draft choices)
- 2026-03-30 — 2026 NFL mock draft: Miller's pick predictions for Rounds 1-7 (2026 NFL mock draft: Miller's pick predictions for Rounds 1-7)
- 2026-06-03 — Patriots OT Will Campbell's Offseason Recovery Has Critical Roster Implications (Patriots OT Will Campbell's Offseason Recovery Has Critical Roster Implications)