FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The 2026 NFL draft has begun in Pittsburgh. The three-day event continues with Rounds 4-7 on Saturday (noon ET).
The New England Patriots drafted offensive tackle Caleb Lomu out of Utah with the No. 28 pick.
A full list of Patriots’ selections is below and will be updated with pick-by-pick analysis through the weekend.
Round 1, No. 28: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
My take: Games are won up front and the Patriots made a solid move to give up a fourth-round pick (125) to move from No. 31 to 28 to ensure they landed the last first-round-caliber tackle before a notable drop-off at the position.
Lomu, 21, probably will become the immediate swing tackle behind Will Campbell (left) and Morgan Moses (right). He ultimately could be the heir apparent for the 35-year-old Moses, who enters his 13th NFL season, while also providing insurance should Campbell’s development get derailed. Moving inside to guard also is a possibility, with Patriots executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf noting the 6-foot-6, 313-pound Lomu’s athletic physical traits.
Ties to the team to know: Lomu said one of the first messages he received after being selected was from Campbell. Lomu had previously followed Campbell on social media, and that was the primary link between them.
What we’re hearing about Lomu: Wolf said the team canceled its predraft visit with Lomu because they didn’t think it would be a possibility to realistically draft him. Also, Lomu’s arm length is 33⅜, which is notable after all the buzz last year with Campbell’s arm length (32⅝). Scouts noted Lomu wasn’t a powerful blocker but is effective with his mobility on zone runs. Wolf said most rookie offensive linemen have to get stronger entering the NFL.
Round 2, No. 55: Gabe Jacas, Edge, Illinois
My take: The Patriots were aggressive to trade up from No. 63 to 55, giving up a fourth-round pick (No. 125) and sixth-round pick (202), which seems to reflect two things: How much they liked Jacas, and how they view the overall draft as dropping off on Day 3 — those selections aren’t as valuable to them. The 6-4, 260-pound Jacas slots behind projected starters Dre’Mont Jones and Harold Landry III, providing a much-needed injection of youth and upside alongside 2025 undrafted free agent Elijah Ponder, 2025 fifth-round draft pick Bradyn Swinson and long shot Jesse Luketa. Edge was arguably the team’s greatest need entering the draft, alongside the offensive line, and the Patriots hit both positions with their top two picks (using three Day 3 picks in trades to move up to do so).
What we’re hearing about Jacas: ESPN draft analyst Field Yates noted Jacas’ wrestling background, saying that shows up in his play as he is a powerful run defender who also has a refined pass-rush repertoire despite lacking an explosive first step. Where he fits in a scheme is a question to some — whether it’s outside linebacker or defensive end. Jacas showed up at the Senior Bowl at 260 pounds, which was 15 pounds lighter than his listed weight during the season, and scouts noted it seemed to improve his quickness.
Round 3, No. 95: Eli Raridon, TE, Notre Dame
My take: Coach Mike Vrabel said at the NFL combine that he needed to do a better job evaluating tight ends, in part because when he is studying opponents he sees a bunch of middle-round picks at that position “that end up starting, playing and contributing.” Vrabel also noted the depth of this year’s class at the position. That provides context for the team using its lone third-round pick on Raridon, who at 6-6 and 245 pounds has a basketball background that shows up as a pass catcher and the ability to high-point the ball. Raridon projects as the No. 3 tight end as a rookie, behind veteran Hunter Henry and free-agent signing Julian Hill, which could present an additional obstacle for Jack Westover and CJ Dippre to stick on the roster. Henry enters the last year of his contract in 2026.
What we’re hearing about Raridon: A full-time starter for one season, the 22-year-old Raridon is just scratching the surface on his potential and is a “tremendous athlete,” according to Patriots executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf. Raridon tore his right ACL in 2021, then re-tore it the following year, and his response to that adversity made an impression on Wolf. “You could see him coming into his own as we went through the [2025] season and just see his confidence growing. Kind of an all-around guy, but probably more of a pass catcher first. But a willing blocker.”
What’s next: The Patriots have five picks on Day 3 — a fifth-rounder, three sixth-rounders, and one seventh-rounder — on a day when Vrabel won’t be in the draft room. Among the areas the team could be targeting are LB, RB and QB.
Remaining picks:
Round 5: No. 171
Round 6: No. 191
Round 6: No. 198
Round 6: No. 212
Round 7: No. 247
