The New England Patriots are set to enter the season with Will Campbell and Morgan Moses as their starting offensive tackles. Even with that duo in place, it didn’t stop them from selecting Caleb Lomu in the first round of the NFL Draft last month.
Lomu arrives in New England having made the majority of his collegiate starts at left tackle. With Campbell selected fourth overall in last year’s draft, Lomu’s long-term future projects best on the right side as a potential successor to the 35-year old
Moses.
Lomu, meanwhile, feels comfortable on both sides.
“I just feel myself as a tackle just in general, left or right side,” Lomu said Thursday as he was introduced at Gillette Stadium. “Having to play left in college, and that’s kind of what I got comfortable to — just playing those three years at left tackle at Utah.
“My first year there, I was kind of a swing tackle and so I feel comfortable at left, but also been working at right these past couple months. Feel just as good on the right side as well, so either tackle position, I’m happy to play and feel comfortable playing.”
After New England traded up in the first round to select Lomu 28th overall, executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf also noted Lomu could have the flexibility to play guard.
While his long-term future remains at tackle at 6-foot-6, 313 pounds, that versatility could help him see the field as a rookie with Campbell and Moses holding down the starting tackle spots.
“Any position that they need me at I’m willing to play and will love to play,” Lomu said. “They play the five guys with five positions and any position that I can contribute too to help the team, I’m gonna do that. And to get on the field and get some playing time, that’s the goal and whatever position that they need me too play to be able to get on the field and play, I’m willing to do it.”
A former quarterback and wide receiver in his early flag football days, Lomu’s athletic profile also makes him an intriguing option in New England’s six-offensive-lineman packages.
His role will begin to take shape later this summer during training camp. With his first rookie minicamp practice set for Friday afternoon, Lomu’s early focus has been on learning the offense — a process that has already helped him connect with his new teammates, even from back home in Arizona.
“A few guys texted me right after I got drafted, sent me just a welcoming text,” he shared. “Also been able to do some meetings with the o-line kind of getting install and all that ready. So got to talk with them — just over zoom, though, haven’t met any of them yet in person. So excited for that opportunity.”
