Patriots Drafted Caleb Lomu to Back Up Will Campbell and Morgan Moses Is Showing Him How
When they handed him the key fob to enter Gillette Stadium, New England Patriots first-round draft pick Caleb Lomu checked his ego at the door.
Sure, he was the 28th selection overall out of the University of Utah, but standing in his way to the left tackle spot in the first-team offensive huddle was the No. 4 pick in 2025, Will Campbell.
Patriots brass knew there would be scrutiny for choosing left tackles in the first round of back-to-back drafts. But Mike Vrabel and Co. understood the deal with the starter on the right side, Morgan Moses, a 35-year-old veteran of 12 NFL seasons.
A perfect fit for two reasons
Drafting Lomu gave the team insurance for Campbell, who struggled mightily in the playoffs and Super Bowl last year. In the meantime, Lomu could learn the right side, adding that skill to his resume, under the tutelage of Moses, who rarely practices during the season.
"(Moses) has been around a ton, and he's been one of the biggest helps for me, especially coming in not knowing the playbook," said Lomu at the team's minicamp back in early June. "He's been guiding me a lot. He's been a huge help. And it's been awesome for me."
Lomu's size at 6-foot-6, 310 pounds and his body-type resemble Moses and a lot of right tackles in the NFL. He just played on the left side in college while first-round pick Spencer Fano (No. 9 by the Browns) was on the right.
Ready to go on either side
"(Playing right) definitely takes some getting used to. I've been playing left all of college," Lomu said. "The first practice was a little weird at first.
"Basically, it's just reps, doing it over and over until it feels comfortable to you. I feel very comfortable at right tackle right now."
Moses' down time during the rigorous regular season will be a blessing as the rookie gets extra snaps in practice.
Lomu's open mind could prove as pivotal to his success as his size and strength.
"I came in with the mindset, wherever they need me, wherever they put me, I'm going to work at that position and do what they ask of me," he said. "That's what I've been doing here. They throw me in wherever, I just go and play.
"Every position has its differences … little things. They're all very different, but at the end of the day, it's just playing football and blocking the man."
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This story was originally published June 27, 2026 at 8:23 AM.