Patriots draft Utah tackle Caleb Lomu at 28
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Salt Lake City — The New England Patriots selected Utah offensive tackle Caleb Lomu with the 28th overall pick on Thursday night during the 2026 NFL Draft, moving up to secure him. Lomu, a multi-year starter who earned first-team All-Big 12 honors in 2025, was measured at 6-foot-6 and 313 pounds at the Combine. Foxborough this week traded the No. 31 and No. 125 picks to Buffalo to move up and take Lomu, a decision framed as addressing left tackle depth after injuries and veteran age concerns; the selection also made Utah’s draft class historic, producing two first-round offensive linemen during the April 23–25 event in Pittsburgh.
Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.
Timeline of Events
- Lomu redshirted his freshman year at Utah and later earned a starting left-tackle role.
- In 2025 Lomu received First-Team All-Big 12 recognition after a season with minimal sacks allowed.
- The 2026 NFL Draft took place in Pittsburgh on April 23–25, 2026.
- The Patriots traded picks No. 31 and No. 125 to Buffalo and selected Lomu at No. 28 on Thursday night.
- Utah recorded its first draft with two first-round offensive linemen when Lomu and Spencer Fano were both selected.
Why This Matters to You
The Patriots' new pick, Caleb Lomu, could mean a stronger offensive line. This could lead to fewer quarterback sacks and more successful plays. If you're a Patriots fan, this could mean a more exciting season ahead. Check out Lomu's college highlights to see what he brings to the table.
The Bottom Line
The Patriots made a strategic move to secure Lomu, trading two picks to Buffalo. This decision underscores their focus on strengthening their offensive line. Worth forwarding if you know someone who loves to analyze draft strategies.
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The New England Patriots benefited by addressing a pressing offensive tackle need and adding a highly-rated, multi-year college starter to their roster, while Caleb Lomu benefits from a first-round contract and entry into an established NFL franchise.
Some depth pieces on New England’s roster face increased competition, and Buffalo exchanged draft capital to move down after the trade, reducing their immediate first-round leverage.
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