The New England Patriots didn't have many positives to take away from their brutal 35-6 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, but rookie offensive tackle Caleb Lomu gave them one. The first-round pick finally received extended NFL action, playing around 20 snaps at right tackle while also getting additional work as an extra offensive lineman. And Lomu held his own. He earned New England's highest run-blocking grade at 78.3 and didn't allow a sack or quarterback hit. He surrendered only two hurries despite Jacksonville dominating the Patriots at the line of scrimmage for much of the game. It's a small sample size. But for a rookie getting his first legitimate NFL opportunity, that's encouraging. If Lomu continues developing, the Patriots could eventually have their long-term offensive tackle combination with Lomu and Will Campbell protecting Drake Maye. Speaking of Maye, Mike Vrabel also offered an interesting explanation for the quarterback's early-season struggles. Vrabel compared Maye's situation to a golfer squeezing the club too tightly while desperately trying to shoot a good score. Maye might be pressing. That could help explain some of the baffling decisions, including his interception against Jacksonville when safer options were available. New England has plenty to fix. But Lomu's performance provided at least one reason for optimism coming out of an otherwise miserable Sunday. #NewEnglandPatriots #CalebLomu #DrakeMaye Photo Credit: Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! KALSHI For a limited time, Download the Kalshi app and use code [LOCKEDON] to get up to $500 in bonus credits when you trade $25.
The New England Patriots didn't have many positives to take away from their brutal 35-6 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, but rookie offensive tackle Caleb Lomu gave them one. The first-round pick finally received extended NFL action, playing around 20 snaps at right tackle while also getting additional work as an extra offensive lineman. And Lomu held his own. He earned New England's highest run-blocking grade at 78.3 and didn't allow a sack or quarterback hit. He surrendered only two hurries despite Jacksonville dominating the Patriots at the line of scrimmage for much of the game. It's a small sample size. But for a rookie getting his first legitimate NFL opportunity, that's encouraging. If Lomu continues developing, the Patriots could eventually have their long-term offensive tackle combination with Lomu and Will Campbell protecting Drake Maye. Speaking of Maye, Mike Vrabel also offered an interesting explanation for the quarterback's early-season struggles. Vrabel compared Maye's situation to a golfer squeezing the club too tightly while desperately trying to shoot a good score. Maye might be pressing. That could help explain some of the baffling decisions, including his interception against Jacksonville when safer options were available. New England has plenty to fix. But Lomu's performance provided at least one reason for optimism coming out of an otherwise miserable Sunday. #NewEnglandPatriots #CalebLomu #DrakeMaye
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