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Caleb Lomu speaks to the media at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine before being selected by the New England Patriots in the first round of the NFL Draft.
The New England Patriots selected Caleb Lomu with the No. 28 overall pick in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft on Thursday night, adding offensive line help late on Day 1.
The move came after New England traded up from No. 31 in a deal with the Buffalo Bills, sending picks No. 31 and No. 125 to Buffalo in exchange for No. 28 overall, as first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Another in-division trade: Buffalo traded No. 28 to New England in return for No. 31 and 125.
Patriots Add Offensive Line Help With First-Round Pick
Entering the draft, the Patriots had several areas they could address with their first-round selection, with the offensive line widely viewed as one of the team’s top needs.
By moving up three spots, New England ensured it landed its target, selecting Lomu to help reinforce the front as the team continues building under head coach Mike Vrabel.
Why the Patriots Traded Up for Caleb Lomu
The Patriots’ decision to trade up from No. 31 to No. 28 suggests the team wanted to secure its pick late in the first round rather than risk losing a player still available on its board.
Teams often make small moves up the board in this range to ensure they land a player before another club has the chance to act, particularly late in Round 1 when runs on certain positions can develop quickly.
In this case, New England used additional draft capital to move up three spots, ultimately selecting Lomu as its first-round addition.
Who Is Caleb Lomu?
GettyCaleb Lomu runs the 40-yard dash at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine before being selected by the New England Patriots in the first round.
Caleb Lomu played college football at Utah, where he developed into one of the top offensive tackle prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft class.
Known for his size, strength and ability to protect the edge, Lomu emerged as a reliable presence at tackle during his college career, drawing first-round interest from multiple teams.
He was widely projected as a late first-round pick heading into the draft.
How Caleb Lomu Fits in New England
The Patriots’ selection of Lomu aligns with a clear need along the offensive line, giving the team another foundational piece up front.
With protection and consistency remaining key priorities, Lomu has a path to contribute early as New England looks to stabilize its offense and support its long-term plans.
Offensive Line Remains a Key Focus for New England
Improving the offensive line has been a clear area of focus for the Patriots as they continue to build out the roster.
Adding Lomu gives New England another piece to develop up front, with the potential to compete for playing time early in his career.
Investing a first-round pick along the offensive line reflects the importance of building a more stable unit moving forward.
What’s Next for the Patriots
The Patriots will now turn their attention to Day 2 of the draft, where they will look to continue adding depth across the roster.
After making their first-round selection, New England still has multiple needs to address as they shape the team heading into the 2026 season.
Maggie MacKenzie Maggie MacKenzie covers NASCAR for Heavy.com. She previously worked for NASCAR.com, where she reported, wrote, and edited race-weekend coverage and traveled to key events throughout the season. She has more than ten years of experience in sports media and is based in Boston, Massachusetts. More about Maggie MacKenzie