Patriots plan for rookie tackle Caleb Lomu comes into focus at OTAs
· Yahoo Sports
FOXBOROUGH – The Patriots have a clear plan in place for Caleb Lomu.
During rookie minicamp, it was noteworthy that the Patriots’ first-round pick took every rep at left tackle. In college at Utah, Lomu was a standout on the left side of the offensive line. That first NFL practice made people wonder if the rookie would compete with Will Campbell this offseason at left tackle.
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After one day of OTAs, that didn’t appear to be the case, as the rookie rotated in with Morgan Moses at right tackle on Wednesday.
“He’s been an unbelievably coachable player,” Mike Vrabel said before practice. He’s young, he’s big, he’s athletic, and he’s willing to learn. He’s excited about learning. So, where he plays, we want to end up with the five best linemen. I think he’s going to have the ability to play both sides. I can report that he’ll be on the right today. He might get some snaps on the left.
“But you guys know how this goes. We played 10 linemen last year. We’re going to have to have five good ones that can protect Drake [Maye], as well as a swing tackle.”
Lomu played all eight snaps at right tackle with the top offensive line on Wednesday. He didn’t see any time at left tackle or with the backups. In each period, Moses started at right tackle, playing around four snaps before giving way to Lomu for the final two snaps.
In a perfect world, Lomu and Campbell develop into above-average tackles, and the Patriots don’t have to worry about that position in the foreseeable future.
Last year, Campbell had an up-and-down rookie season after being drafted fourth overall. He was solid in the regular season but suffered a torn MCL and struggled when he returned in the playoffs.
Last month, the Patriots traded up to select Lomu with the 28th pick in the first round. Although he started at left tackle in college, the Patriots plan to train him at right tackle, where he could eventually replace Moses, who turned 35 this offseason.
Although Lomu only played at right tackle on Wednesday, Vrabel left the door open for anything to happen in the future.
“I’m excited about where he’s at,” Vrabel said. “Where he’s going to eventually be, I don’t think I can answer that right now.”
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