DRAFT Welcome Caleb Lomu OT Utah

[Triumph]

If Lomu outplays Campbell I can see Lomu winning the LT job.

That's what its all about. No guarantees to anyone.

 

[jdlboot14]

I just don't like using a 1st round pick (trade up none the less) on someone who doesn't have a clear path to a starting role THIS YEAR.
We needed a well-rounded EDGE that could start / or platoon start this year.
OR a legit prototype TE that needs to be TE1 by next year.

 

[CtPatsfan65]

Like the pick. Wondering if they don't use his LT experience to push Campbell. Listening to Evan Lazar he thinks he is already a better pass blocker than Campbell but lacks the finish/nastiness and strength to immediately compete at the Pro level. Honestly I don't care which side either play on as long as they are both successful and are bookends on this OL for the next 5-8 years protecting Drake.

 

[Wozzy]

I just don't like using a 1st round pick (trade up none the less) on someone who doesn't have a clear path to a starting role THIS YEAR.
We needed a well-rounded EDGE that could start / or platoon start this year.
OR a legit prototype TE that needs to be TE1 by next year.

Why? Where do they desperately need a starter, more importantly who are they benching to plug this late first round pick into the lineup?

When they drafted Nate Solder, he was slated to sit behind the starters, he ended up getting a lot of quality starts and reps at multiple positions.

If you can get a player now who was going to be a top five pick next offseason had he stayed in school, you do it. It's a luxury pick, I've been telling people all offseason they needed quality depth and future starters. They have their starters assuming health. Get the best players available in this draft class.

 

[SammyBlueCat]

Does he eat lobstah???

 

[JoeSixPat]

Like the pick. Wondering if they don't use his LT experience to push Campbell. Listening to Evan Lazar he thinks he is already a better pass blocker than Campbell but lacks the finish/nastiness and strength to immediately compete at the Pro level. Honestly I don't care which side either play on as long as they are both successful and are bookends on this OL for the next 5-8 years protecting Drake.

There's no question that Lomu is insurance if Campbell is injured or struggles

That being said, Campbell was THE top rated LT last year taken at #4 and Lomu, as much as he was my preferred pick if he lasted til 31, was still the last of the 1st round worthy tackles to go

But yeah, given that his "downside" is that he's a much better pass protector than run blocker, that's not the worst news, and the main reason we wanted/needed a swing tackle is to have depth at LT as well as a future RT - and I'm confident he can do both.

The bottom line here is that that, yeah, they had to give up a 4th to get him, but that's more than worth it to me if we have a starter for the next 4 years. Overall, investments in the OL high in the draft can literally save $100 million on the salary cap, freeing up money for proven players at other positions.

This is shaping up to be a solid draft as I'm sure they'll find other keepers

 

[Wozzy]

Like the pick. Wondering if they don't use his LT experience to push Campbell. Listening to Evan Lazar he thinks he is already a better pass blocker than Campbell but lacks the finish/nastiness and strength to immediately compete at the Pro level. Honestly I don't care which side either play on as long as they are both successful and are bookends on this OL for the next 5-8 years protecting Drake.

Could happen, I just doubt it. Campbell for all his detractors is functionally strong, he's strong as a bull. This kid needs a year in the strength and conditioning program and protein shakes.

I could be wrong though, some guys simply know how to play and can use leverage and athleticism wisely. It's just good to have a young beast sitting behind Campbell and Moses, in case either one falters. It's highly likely this is Moses last season.

 

[jdlboot14]

Why? Where do they desperately need a starter, more importantly who are they benching to plug this late first round pick into the lineup?

When they drafted Nate Solder, he was slated to sit behind the starters, he ended up getting a lot of quality starts and reps at multiple positions.

If you can get a player now who was going to be a top five pick next offseason had he stayed in school, you do it. It's a luxury pick, I've been telling people all offseason they needed quality depth and future starters. They have their starters assuming health. Get the best players available in this draft class.

I can only trust that these football minds know that Lomu will end up being a great player - maybe even a 6-8 year tackle. I hope he's great. But, as a philosophy, I would see the 1st round as a place you get starting-caliber talent for your team in year 1.
It's not like we're the Patriots of they dynasty where we were stacked and had systematic incumbent leaders in every spot (except WR).

 

[Horace's Ivories]

I'll put this in here, too...

 

[mayoclinic]

They should take another guard in the next couple rounds, it wouldn't surprise me if they took one in round two... even though some "we need edge" heads would explode here.

Chase Bisontis at 63 would suit me fine, though highly unlikely.

 

[JoeSixPat]

I just don't like using a 1st round pick (trade up none the less) on someone who doesn't have a clear path to a starting role THIS YEAR.
We needed a well-rounded EDGE that could start / or platoon start this year.
OR a legit prototype TE that needs to be TE1 by next year.

By my way of thinking, if you've built your team well you are NEVER drafting for this season's needs, but rather taking the best player available to address future needs.

Last year free agency left the Patriots with almost no choice but to draft the top LT because free agents snubbed them - and why wouldn't they given their horrendous 2024?

Now we're back to where we should be - not reaching for picks to draft needs that we didn't meet through player development (i.e. other guys who weren't ready Year 1) or free agency.

Yes, starting RT is a need for NEXT year - and that's not a bad thing. For now we also need quality depth at LT and RT, and possibly LG - and Lomu can come in and help at all THREE positions, which to me, is better value than a rookie starter who only can fill one spot.

 

[Wozzy]

I can only trust that these football minds know that Lomu will end up being a great player - maybe even a 6-8 year tackle. I hope he's great. But, as a philosophy, I would see the 1st round as a place you get starting-caliber talent for your team in year 1.
It's not like we're the Patriots of they dynasty where we were stacked and had systematic incumbent leaders in every spot (except WR).

He was starting at left tackle in a division one program as a true sophomore and junior. This is a value pick because the teams who needed a tackle who picked ahead of us needed a starter now. The Pats had the luxury to pick the guy with more potential going forward.

This is like the dynasty, we won the most games in the NFL last year and went to a Super Bowl. They haven't lost many players from last year's team and are building on top of that foundation. I don't think they're done working on the offensive line in this draft. They'll probably take a guard and potentially another tackle down the road. They should keep stacking talent on the position group until it's an overwhelming strength on the team... at which point they can trade away or cut some fat.

 

[JoeSixPat]

I LOVE that he and the other guys were crying

Shows they've got heart

They've been working their entire lives to achieve the dream of making it to the NFL, let alone being a team's top pick in the 1st round, with the financial security for themselves and their families as a result, if they're smart, and if they're crying tears of joy, they probably are

This actually says a lot to me about whether a guy has what it takes to continue driving himself to excel in the NFL

 

[JoeSixPat]

Offensive line help in the first round without giving up too much to move up a few spots? Take that any day of the week.

Yeah - and actually they actually got a bit more value for trading their 4th rounder

By the draft value chart moving up 3 spots to 28 is worth 60 points and 125 is only worth 47

Buffalo easily could have asked for an extra 6th rounder

 

[Wozzy]

Chase Bisontis at 63 would suit me fine, though highly unlikely.

Agreed, love that pick. But there's some really good depth art guard and center in this draft class, there's a lot of good strong guys available later.

There are even some guys who are considered tweeners at OT who could play both positions. Want a big powerful athletic dude later, give me JC Davis out of Illinois. He's only 6'4" but weighs 322 pounds, has a 83 1/8 wingspan, wide enough to play tackle, but he motors and has quickness. There are centers like Jager Burton who is 6'4" 312 pounds, repped it 28 times on the bench. and could provide ultimate flexibility at guard or center if Wilson struggles.

I hope they load up at OL.

 

[Ross12]

He was starting at left tackle in a division one program as a true sophomore and junior. This is a value pick because the teams who needed a tackle who picked ahead of us needed a starter now. The Pats had the luxury to pick the guy with more potential going forward.

This is like the dynasty, we won the most games in the NFL last year and went to a Super Bowl. They haven't lost many players from last year's team and are building on top of that foundation. I don't think they're done working on the offensive line in this draft. They'll probably take a guard and potentially another tackle down the road. They should keep stacking talent on the position group until it's an overwhelming strength on the team... at which point they can trade away or cut some fat.

Yep, it seems clear that since Vrabel arrived that he has had a focus on strengthening the trenches, and at least on the OL that has had a big turnaround already with more to come. On defense, still some work to do on the edge but Milton Williams was a home run and Dre'Mont Jones is a great addition who IMO will be an upgrade to Chaisson, who himself was a sneaky good add and had a career revival here. I anticipate they will continue stacking talent on both sides of the line of scrimmage as a priority.

 

[Username]

My two cents, for what it's worth...

I don't love the pick, but I don't hate it either. I wasn't high on this years tackle class at all, as those of you who frequent the draft forum might have noticed. I really didn't want us to go for Iheanachor or Freeling if either fell to us, I just think there are too many negatives with them that people are willing to overlook because of physical traits.

However, Lomu is kinda different. Lomu has a high floor as a pass blocker and the potential for a very high ceiling overall. My issue with him is that he doesn't play with enough attitude, he lacks bad intentions. He's content to just do enough, he doesn't feel the need to pancake anyone. He gets away with it in the pass game but it really lets him down as a run blocker.

But thankfully, we don't need him to start. He can sit and learn from Moses and the coaches, spend some extra time in the weight room, make the most of the snaps he gets, and be ready to go next year. At which point, all going to plan, we will have the core of our OL set for a decade

 

[JoeSixPat]

First thing I looked at was arm length lol

We should be keeping our eye on this guy in next year's draft

He's a Center but he's got GREAT arm length and maybe can move to LT if need be.

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/5184753/olivier-rioux

 

[borisman]

Lomu the Emu got some wing span

 

[ZoisKing]

Chase Bisontis at 63 would suit me fine, though highly unlikely.

Im with you here. If you can add more insurance this year then do it. Keep adding athletes and fully realize the vision the staff has for their blocking team.