Mike Vrabel Is Preparing 1st-Rd Tackle To Play ‘Both Sides’

Mike Vrabel Is Preparing 1st-Rd Tackle To Play ‘Both Sides’ originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The New England Patriots traded up in the first round of last month’s NFL Draft to select offensive tackle Caleb Lomu out of Utah. Lomu was not expected to be available late in round one, so the front office decided to take the value and sort out the fit later.

Well, it’s later.

Last year’s fourth overall selection, Will Campbell, is reprising his role as starting left tackle, while veteran Morgan Moses is returning for his 13th NFL season at right tackle.

So how does the 28th overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft fit in?

Head coach Mike Vrabel told reporters on Monday that the rookie will take reps on both sides of the offensive line.

“He’s been an unbelievably coachable player. He’s young, he’s big, he’s athletic, and he’s willing to learn. He’s excited about learning,” Vrabel said of Lomu. “As far as where he plays, we want to end up with the five best linemen.

“He’s gonna have the ability to play both sides.”

Vrabel went on to say that Lomu would be on the right for, presumably, most of OTAs. But informed reporters who could spend some time on the left as well.

Some fans feel very strongly that Campbell will not be able to hold his own as a left tackle in today’s NFL. I believe those fans are misguided; the Patriots front office didn’t draft Campbell to play guard.

I see Lomu’s summer being spent in direct competition with Moses for the starting job at right tackle. That being said, learning both sides is nothing but a plus for both Lomu and the Patriots.

More NFL: ESPN Analyst Predicts ‘Next Level’ For Drake Maye If Patriots Land A.J. Brown

Source link