For the second straight year, the Patriots used their first-round pick on a tackle, selecting Caleb Lomu out of Utah.
New England moved up to take the 21-year-old, completing a rare inter-division trade with the Buffalo Bills. In the deal, the Patriots sent picks No. 31 and No. 125 to move up to No. 28.
Lomu spent the past three seasons at Utah, starting 12 games at left tackle in each of the last two years. He allowed just eight pressures and zero sacks across 357 pass-blocking snaps last season, according to Pro Football Focus. Redshirting as a freshman, he appeared in three games as a reserve before taking over a full-time role. In the 2024 season, he gave up 17 pressures and two sacks.
The 6-foot-6, 313-pound Arizona native earned First-Team All-Big 12 honors. Despite his size, he moves well, running a 4.99 40-yard dash at the combine. He also brings solid length with 33⅜-inch arms and posted strong testing numbers, including a 32.5-inch vertical and a 9-foot-5 broad jump.
“Really excited about this player. He’s young. He’s experienced. He’s athletic. He’s a great kid,” Executive Vice President of Player Personnel Eliot Wolf said. “Frankly, I was a little surprised that he was still available, and that’s why we, you know, decided to move up a little bit. We’re excited to add him.”
Tackle was an obvious need, especially with Morgan Moses turning 35 last month. Lomu joins a group that includes Moses, Will Campbell, Marcus Bryant, James Hudson, Sebastian Gutierrez, and Lorenz Metz.
He’s expected to slot in behind Moses and Campbell.
“Will’s the left tackle,” Wolf said. “Caleb has some versatility. Some of the pro day workouts that he did were on the right side, and we were comfortable with that. Again, he’s very athletic, so I don’t think either side will be a problem for him.”
Lomu is the 12th Utah player selected in the first round and the fourth offensive lineman, joining Spencer Fano (No. 9, 2026, Cleveland), Garett Bolles (No. 20, 2017, Denver), and Jordan Gross (No. 8, 2003, Carolina).
The Patriots’ next pick is scheduled for No. 63 overall in the second round, with edge rusher, tight end, and linebacker among their top remaining needs heading into Day 2. They have nine selections remaining
