Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane clearly isn’t in a rush to make a selection. For the second time in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft on Thursday night, the Bills traded back, this time handing the No. 28 overall selection to their AFC East division rival, the New England Patriots.
In exchange for the pick, Buffalo received the No. 31 overall selection and a fourth-rounder (No. 125). Earlier in the night, the Bills had already moved back once, swapping the 26th pick for the 28th in a deal with the Houston Texans. While some fans might be scratching their heads, Beane is playing the long game by accumulating assets for a roster that needs cost-controlled depth.
The Patriots, however, saw an opportunity they couldn’t ignore to protect their future. They used the 28th pick to snag Utah Utes offensive tackle Caleb Lomu, a 6-foot-6, 313-pound force who spent the last two seasons locking down the blind side for the Utes. The 21-year-old earned First-Team All-Big 12 honors in 2025 after a dominant campaign where he didn’t allow a single sack across 383 pass-blocking snaps.
Lomu’s college career ended on a massive high note during the Utah Utes’ 44-22 victory over the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the Las Vegas Bowl on Dec. 31, 2025. According to the ESPN box score, the Utes’ offense exploded for 535 total yards, including 225 on the ground. Lomu served as a primary anchor for that success, ensuring the pocket stayed clean as Utah outgained Nebraska by nearly 200 yards.
With 24 starts under his belt at left tackle, Lomu brings both experience and elite athleticism to Foxborough. While the Patriots have veterans on the roster, Lomu provides a high-upside succession plan. For the Bills, the wait continues until the end of the first round, but the draft board remains wide open for Beane’s next move.
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