Caleb Lomu’s viral celebration after being drafted has caught the attention of NFL fans. The New England Patriots selected him with the No. 28 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Early Tuesday, the Patriots traded their No. 31 overall pick and a fourth-round pick (No. 155 overall) to the Buffalo Bills to move up for Lomu. The 21-year-old offensive tackle from Utah did not allow a single sack last season in college.
As of midday, analysts praised Lomu’s selection, giving him grades ranging from A- to A+. Experts noted that the Patriots had a glaring need at offensive tackle—an essential position—and managed to secure one of the top seven tackles in this draft class.
Lomu is expected to play right tackle for New England. This comes after the team also selected left tackle Will Campbell with the No. 4 overall pick in last year’s draft. Lomu’s skills are seen as vital for providing protection for quarterback Drake Maye.
Still, some experts caution that Lomu is considered a developmental project with significant growth potential. “To get a tackle with Lomu’s tape in pass protection at 28 overall is nothing short of a steal,” one analyst remarked.
Lomu isn’t a flashy player, but he gets the job done. His selection has sparked excitement among Patriots fans eager for improvement following an exposed offensive line during last season’s Super Bowl.
No official timeline has been shared regarding when Lomu will start practicing with the team, but expectations are high for his role moving forward. Observers anticipate he will quickly adapt to the professional level and become a key player on the offensive line.
The NFL community continues to buzz about Caleb Lomu’s future, with many eager to see his highlights and contributions to the Patriots as they aim for another championship run.
