DRAFT Welcome Caleb Lomu OT Utah

[VrabelMayeWin]

In addition to needing a RT for 2027, this pick was actually Will Campbell insurance. He was very shaky as a rookie and got bullied by the better rushers constantly getting pushed back into Maye. This was swept under the rug by most fans and media because: they were winning and PFF gave him favorable grades.

Not shutting him down after his injury raised way too many questions post Super Bowl. Lomu is playing either side this season.

I think Campbell is the LT this year as Lomu likely needs a year anyway. 2027 is up for grabs if Campbell struggles. Interestingly, Fano is very similar to Campbell. If Campbell struggles, perhaps the Patriots do what the Utes did with Lomu at LT and Fano (Campbell) at RT.

 

[imahobgoblin]

Rookies are always or usually a mixed bag. Wilson's inexperience was his biggest weakness. But with his size and athleticism he'll be unique at the center position. If he has been working his tail off, getting stronger, fixing his mental errors he'll be a strength this season.

I know some heads would explode here if they took a guard in round two, but it would give me a warm feeling if they got one of the top guys like Chase Bisontis or Emmanuel Pregnon. Go big, protect the Drake, build a mauling rushing attack.

Inexperience? The fact that he played out of position as guard had much more significance than inexperience. I don't care if you give him another 3 years at guard, its still not his position. The responsibilities between guard and center are so radically different.

I have no issues with a guard in round 2. The man who no longer fits the line is Mike Owenu. Campbell, Vera-Tucker, Wilson, and Lumo are the potential starters next year. They are all very athletic and Owenu is old school and on the final year of his deal with a $25m cap hit. Emmanuel Pregnon, Chase Bisontis, Gennings Dunker, and Jalen Farmer are the type you want. Of you get 1, you will need to still find a TE and EDGE. We have 63, 95, 131, 171, 191, 198, 202, 212, and 247. We may need to trade up to get one of those guards. Thats a tall order, but possible. 63+171=58.

 

[DC Patriots]

Campbell wasn't " shakey" as a rookie, he was playing really well until the knee injury.

I agree with you 100%. But we are now post knee injury. Until he’s back playing and looks like his pre-injury self I’m happy to have another young, well regarded tackle in the building.

 

[Toofy]

We have taken cole strange at 29 and got the wheelchair guy for 4th round pick. So if lomu is a decent swing tackle I will take it. Our misses are great in first round .

If lomu turns out to be a stud this might be the pick that redefined the franchise. Considering where Campbell is , this is good insurance policy.



Just play game theory a bit her. The positives outweigh the negatives by abton here . This was a no brainer pick . They might have tried to go 20 but cost might have been a 3rd rounder.

 

[SlowGettingUp]

With four highly-athletic guys up front might we be switching to more of an outside zone-blocking scheme and away from our traditional gap/power schemes? Once Onwenu is gone might be even more the case.

 

[sambam94]

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.

true, in the long run it doesn't matter if Campbell was the #4 pick but playing on the right, as long as he is
playing great there.

 

[BUSTAMOVE]

Inexperience? The fact that he played out of position as guard had much more significance than inexperience. I don't care if you give him another 3 years at guard, its still not his position. The responsibilities between guard and center are so radically different.

I have no issues with a guard in round 2. The man who no longer fits the line is Mike Owenu. Campbell, Vera-Tucker, Wilson, and Lumo are the potential starters next year. They are all very athletic and Owenu is old school and on the final year of his deal with a $25m cap hit. Emmanuel Pregnon, Chase Bisontis, Gennings Dunker, and Jalen Farmer are the type you want. Of you get 1, you will need to still find a TE and EDGE. We have 63, 95, 131, 171, 191, 198, 202, 212, and 247. We may need to trade up to get one of those guards. Thats a tall order, but possible. 63+171=58.

I wouldn’t be mad if we got a G in R2 if a good one drops and is BPA. Vrabel has beefed up both lines in 2 years. Those type of players are not sexy pics but they win lots of games and keeps your QB upright

 

[Triumph]

I can't imagine why the Buffalo Bills traded with the Patriots.

A 4th rounder and you just helped your rival grab a potential 10 year starter at tackle? To protect their franchise QB?

Are you nuts?

Yes, they are.

In 2017 the Bills traded with KC that allowed them to draft Mahomes @ #10.
In 2024 the Bills traded with KC that allowed them to draft X Worthy. Buffalo took WR Coleman who has been a cancer.

 

[Raccoonsuit]

We have taken cole strange at 29 and got the wheelchair guy for 4th round pick. So if lomu is a decent swing tackle I will take it. Our misses are great in first round .

If lomu turns out to be a stud this might be the pick that redefined the franchise. Considering where Campbell is , this is good insurance policy.



Just play game theory a bit her. The positives outweigh the negatives by abton here . This was a no brainer pick . They might have tried to go 20 but cost might have been a 3rd rounder.

Just checking is the wheelchair guy Javon Baker? I still laugh thinking about his quote.

 

[PatsFan2]

Who was that guy? Let me try to remember. LOL

Let me at him...let me at him.

 

[Les archambeau]

Early in the draft process he was a common pick to the Pats but over time he kept moving up and was deemed out of reach. Overall this was a tremendous pick for us, especially if Campbell gets hurt again. I trust Lomu moreso than I did Lowe or currently Hudson.

Who's Lomu moreso?

 

[Pape]

The way the first round of the draft unfolded, you have to be happy with this pick... we have MM for at least another year, so we got time to groom him to replace methusula in the RT spot...

and if you don't like this pick... well...


at least it wasn't Ty Simpson at 13

 

[mayoclinic]

Thx, Captain Obvious.

 

[SlowGettingUp]

Thx, Captain Obvious.

See a pattern here? All four are on the smaller side but super athletic. Goodbye power, hello outside zone and other movement-oriented schemes. Helps a lot with convincing play-action too - can run play-action off inside zone, outside zone/stretch, pin-and-pull, etc. And helpful in bootlegs and RPO.

 

[mayoclinic]

None are "small". All 308-320#. Just not 350#-plus road graders.

 

[dliverey44]

Who's Lomu moreso?

I am not good with comparisons, but he comes in with good pass blocking ability but needs some technique refinement but most rooks do need that. His run blocking is not great right now but I think he will improve.

 

[Huckleberry1]

See a pattern here? All four are on the smaller side but super athletic. Goodbye power, hello outside zone and other movement-oriented schemes. Helps a lot with convincing play-action too - can run play-action off inside zone, outside zone/stretch, pin-and-pull, etc. And helpful in bootlegs and RPO.

6'6 320, 6'6 313, 6'5 310 aren't " on the smaller side. Especially given that bth Campbell and Lomu will out in muscle over the next couple of years.

 

[dliverey44]

See a pattern here? All four are on the smaller side but super athletic. Goodbye power, hello outside zone and other movement-oriented schemes. Helps a lot with convincing play-action too - can run play-action off inside zone, outside zone/stretch, pin-and-pull, etc. And helpful in bootlegs and RPO.

That is one thing that I noticed is that bootlefs to the right decreased as the season went on and I think it was due to lack of mobility on the right side of the line

 

[Drunken Cicerone]

The team needed an OL if they didn’t draft one it’d be malfeasance on behalf of the front office. Drake Maye got the crap kicked out of him all playoffs. Setting the record for being sacked (21) in the playoffs doesn’t begin to tell the elevators about how often he had dudes in his face within a second.

You have a decent OLine going into next year but it’s got some age and some injury history and some questions in general. This pick was a necessity

Yes they still need edge help, hopefully that’s addressed but stopping guys from mauling your stud 22 year old QB who just went to the Super Bowl in his first season where he was started all the way through is paramount.

 

[Wozzy]

Inexperience? The fact that he played out of position as guard had much more significance than inexperience. I don't care if you give him another 3 years at guard, it’s still not his position. The responsibilities between guard and center are so radically different.

I meant his inexperience as a pro, not as a guard. Guard should be easier than center.

I have no issues with a guard in round 2. The man who no longer fits the line is Mike Owenu. Campbell, Vera-Tucker, Wilson, and Lumo are the potential starters next year. They are all very athletic and Owenu is old school and on the final year of his deal with a $25m cap hit. Emmanuel Pregnon, Chase Bisontis, Gennings Dunker, and Jalen Farmer are the type you want. Of you get 1, you will need to still find a TE and EDGE. We have 63, 95, 131, 171, 191, 198, 202, 212, and 247. We may need to trade up to get one of those guards. Thats a tall order, but possible. 63+171=58.

Onwenu is expensive, other than that he fits just fine. He was consistently good last season. They could certainly go younger and cheaper there if that is their desire.