Patriots Trade Up to Select Caleb Lomu at No. 28 Overall
The New England Patriots moved up in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft to select Utah offensive tackle Caleb Lomu, completing a trade with the Buffalo Bills to secure the No. 28 overall pick.
With the pick, New England continues its focus on strengthening the offensive line, a known priority heading into the draft. The team now holds nine remaining selections, including the No. 63 pick in the second round. The top of the draft saw quarterback Fernando Mendoza go No. 1 overall to the Las Vegas Raiders, followed by David Bailey at No. 2, Jeremiyah Love at No. 3, Carnell Tate at No. 4, and linebacker Arvell Reese rounding out the top five.
Lomu, a 6-foot-6, 313-pound tackle from Utah, started every game at left tackle during the 2025 season and earned All-Big 12 First Team honors.
The Patriots’ selection aligns with expectations, as the organization was widely projected to prioritize offensive line help in this draft cycle—especially after quarterback Drake Maye was sacked six times in their 29–13 Super Bowl LX loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
Lomu joins a depth chart that includes fellow young tackle Will Campbell as well as veteran Morgan Moses, among others.
Still just 21 years old and entering the league as a redshirt sophomore, Lomu is considered a developmental prospect with strong upside. He shows promising athletic traits, smooth movement skills, and natural ability in pass protection, though he will need time to refine his technique and add strength.
At the NFL Combine, he posted a 4.99-second 40-yard dash, a 1.74-second 10-yard split, a 32.5-inch vertical jump, and a 9-foot-5-inch broad jump.
Lomu also earned recognition as a 2024 Midseason Freshman All-American and was named a preseason All-Big 12 selection. Analyst Dane Brugler ranked him as the fifth-best offensive tackle in the class, projecting him as a late first- to early second-round talent due to his quick feet, hand usage, and ability to reset in pass protection.
The Patriots’ draft continues through April 24 and April 25 across ESPN, ABC, and NFL Network coverage.
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