The Patriots have signed first-round offensive tackle Caleb Lomu to his fully guaranteed rookie contract, the team announced. As the 28th overall pick, the former Utah standout’s four-year deal is worth approximately $18.92MM.
The 2026 draft marked the second straight year that the Patriots addressed offensive tackle in Round 1. They spent the fourth pick in 2025 on Will Campbell, who was a full-time blindside starter as a rookie.
Although Campbell drew major criticism after a rough showing in the Patriots’ 29-13 Super Bowl LX loss to the Seahawks, he played well during the regular season and will remain in the same role this year. The plan is for Lomu to eventually take over on the right side. But with veteran starter Morgan Moses back for another season, Lomu will be the Patriots’ primary swing tackle in 2026.
As the reigning AFC champions, the Patriots went into the draft with the 31st pick. They moved up three spots in a trade with the AFC East rival Bills to land Lomu, a two-year starter in college. Utes teammate Spencer Fano, who went ninth overall to the Browns in this year’s draft, moved from left to right tackle to accommodate Lomu in 2024. Lomu went on to earn freshman All-America honors that year. The 6-foot-6, 313-pounder was even better in 2025, during which he played 823 snaps and did not allow a sack. Lomu picked up a first-team All-Big 12 nod for his efforts.
With Lomu now under contract, the Pats are almost done with their rookie signings. Second-round edge defender Gabe Jacas is the only member of their nine-player draft class who hasn’t put pen to paper. Here is the full group:
- Round 1, No. 28 (from Texans via Bills): Caleb Lomu (T, Utah) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 55 (from Chargers): Gabe Jacas (EDGE, Illinois)
- Round 3, No. 95: Eli Raridon (TE, Notre Dame) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 171: Karon Prunty (CB, Wake Forest) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 196 (from Colts via Vikings, Panthers and Jaguars): Dametrious Crownover (T, Texas A&M) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 212: Namdi Obiazor (LB, TCU) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 234 (from Vikings): Behren Morton (QB, Texas Tech) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 245 (from Rams via Texans and Jaguars): Jamarion Miller (RB, Alabama) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 247: Quintayvious Hutchins (EDGE, Boston College) (signed)