New England Patriots
“The 6-foot-6, 304-pounder is already a strong move protector who didn’t permit a single sack in 2025.”
The New England Patriots are going to want some reinforcements throughout the offensive line after a disastrous finish to the 2025 season.
Regardless of making all of it the way in which to Tremendous Bowl LX, New England’s O-line was shredded by the Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium — with Drake Maye sacked six occasions and hit on one other 11 events.
Whereas rookie left deal with Will Campbell bore the brunt of the criticism following Sunday’s 29-13 loss, the Patriots’ whole offensive line left loads to be desired on such a serious stage.
As such, it ought to come as little shock that a number of 2026 NFL mock drafts have tabbed the Patriots as using their first-round decide (No. 31 total) on assist on the line of scrimmage.
ESPN’s Field Yates predicted in a new piece that New England will use decide No. 31 to pick offensive deal with Caleb Lomu from the College of Utah. Lomu has spent the final two seasons taking part in at left deal with, however may additionally kick into the inside as a guard after additionally logging reps at that place with the Utes.
“The Patriots’ run to the Tremendous Bowl was spectacular, but it surely underscored the group’s have to beef up quarterback Drake Maye’s safety,” Yates wrote. “Lomu, who took over at left deal with for Utah in 2024 when Fano moved over to the appropriate facet, may slide in at deal with or guard for New England.
“(Notice: I’m a agency believer that the Patriots ought to keep totally dedicated to Will Campbell at left deal with, as coach Mike Vrabel has already acknowledged would be the case.) Lomu must additional develop his power, however the 6-foot-6, 304-pounder is already a strong move protector who didn’t permit a single sack in 2025.”
As Yates famous, there’s been loads of discourse over Campbell’s struggles within the postseason and whether or not or not New England is perhaps on the prowl for an additional left deal with transferring ahead.
In fact, New England probably received’t be capable to add a franchise left deal with with the thirty first decide within the 2026 NFL Draft, nor do groups typically commerce away their high tackles through the offseason.
Talking on Tuesday, Mike Vrabel voiced support for Campbell — stating that New England doesn’t plan on transferring the 22-year-old lineman off of left deal with transferring ahead.
“Once you signal as much as play left deal with, you signal as much as play nook, you signal as much as play quarterback, you signal as much as be head coach, you get judged. You get scrutinized,” Vrabel mentioned. “Will’s 22 years outdated. He’s our left deal with. He’ll get higher. He’ll get stronger.
“Moments the place he performed properly. Moments the place he blocked the man. There are performs he’d prefer to have again. We’re not transferring Will to protect or heart or to tight finish or anyplace else.”
Even when Campbell stays in place at left deal with, a flexible lineman like Lomu may turn out to be useful for New England.
He may ultimately slot in at proper deal with for Morgan Moses — who will flip 35 years outdated in March — or may additionally exchange Jared Wilson at left guard if wanted.
Whereas it stays to be seen if Lomu can be obtainable at No. 31, the Patriots ought to make the offensive line a precedence by the point the 2026 NFL Draft arrives in April.
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