Caleb Lomu to Patriots After Bills Trade, Fans React to OT for Drake Maye After Will Campbell Buzz

The New England Patriots are bolstering their offensive line.

The team selected Utah offensive tackle Caleb Lomu with the No. 28 overall pick at the first round of Thursday's NFL draft, trading up with the Buffalo Bills to do so.

Lomu was considered the No. 57 overall prospect on the B/R NFL Scouting Department's final big board and the No. 5 offensive tackle.

So there was some mixed opinion on the selection by fans and pundits:

Will Campbell had a rough first season at left tackle but is expected to remain in that position, making Lomu's future role more likely to be on the right side.

Campbell tore a ligament in his knee during the 2025 season, which may have contributed to some of his struggles, especially in the Super Bowl when he gave up 14 pressures and a sack. He acknowledged that he wasn't good enough down the stretch.

"It comes with the job when you don't perform," he told reporters after he was criticized for his struggles in the Super Bowl. "Obviously, I was picked high, paid a lot, so people expect a certain thing, and I expect more myself. So whenever I don't perform, I don't expect everyone to be like, 'It's okay, buddy.' I mean, obviously it sucks, but it doesn't suck for anyone more than it sucks for me."

For now, the Pats have been adamant that Campbell will remain at left tackle.

"We aren't moving Campbell," head coach Mike Vrabel told reporters in February. "He is our left tackle."

But there has been plenty of talk that Campbell would be better at guard, and the Pats selecting an offensive tackle with a first-round pick probably won't quiet that buzz (granted, opinions vary).

As for Lomu, B/R's Brandon Thorne described him as a player who is "still in the early stages of his physical and technical development but displays very good movement skills with a keen natural feel as a pass protector that tracks toward becoming a solid NFL tackle. His traits help him negotiate leverage and get out of compromising positions at a high level."

Time will tell whether Campbell sticks at left tackle or is moved to guard, but the Patriots now have some added optionality on the offensive line.