Some New England Patriots fans weren't impressed with the team's decision to trade up in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft to draft the right tackle out of Utah, Caleb Lomu.
With starting right tackle Morgan Moses still under contract for two more seasons, fans who felt the team should be in win-now mode, thanks to quarterback Drake Maye's team-friendly rookie deal, viewed this move as not aggressive enough.
But, as the front office has told us all offseason, Lomu could very much be a part of the Patriots offense on day one of the regular season.
Moses is dealing with an undisclosed injury, so Lomu has been taking reps with the starting offensive line at right tackle. When the twos are on the field, Lomu is out there too, but this time at Will Campbell's left tackle position.
Boston Herald reporter Andrew Callahan has been at mini-camp and says that the Patriots are training Lomu to be their "swing" tackle.
First and foremost, this means that if Campbell were to deal with another late-season injury like the one that caused his play in the postseason to tank, Lomu could be there to fill in. Same goes for Moses.
Secondly, this means that when the Patriots decide to go to their "monster" package and run on another offensive lineman, the six-foot-six, 313-pounder will likely be the player they turn to.
His presence adds depth to the line, a new personnel package to play with and some security to the long-term outlook of the Patriots' protectors.
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