Musket Fire‘s Ernesto Cova argued during the 2026 season that the New England Patriots should start rookie Caleb Lomu at right tackle ahead of Morgan Moses. Cova’s recommendation is direct: “Let the rook cook.”
Cova’s evaluation is that Moses has been beaten regularly and is the weakest link on the offensive line. That assessment drives his recommendation that the rookie take the job, with Cova arguing that a tackle drafted to protect Maye should be learning on Sundays rather than watching a veteran absorb losses.
Cova acknowledged that New England has dealt with multiple injuries up front, so the breakdowns are not entirely on one player. That context keeps the focus on the right tackle spot while recognizing the line has changed around Moses. Cova’s argument is that the context explains the pressure without removing the need for a change.
Inside the Caleb Lomu Argument
Lomu has played a limited role as a rookie. Cova’s argument is that the first-round pick should be developing on the field, and Lomu’s college background supports the case: he played left tackle, and his draft path ended with New England selecting him in the first round. That background is why Cova sees the switch as a development decision as much as a performance one.
Cova also raised concerns about Lomu’s readiness. He identified Lomu as an inconsistent run-blocker who can struggle against bull rushes, the kind of issues that show up quickly for a rookie tackle. Cova’s answer is that those areas improve with playing time, which makes the evaluation a bet on coaching and reps.
The recommendation is not based on Lomu alone. Cova points to two first-round picks used on offensive linemen in the past couple of years, an investment aimed at keeping Maye protected. He also criticized Maye’s questionable decisions in the Packers loss, tying the quarterback’s play to the pressure around him.
Why the Patriots Right Tackle Job Is Under Scrutiny
If Moses is beaten regularly, as Cova argues, the right tackle becomes the pressure point for a line already adjusting to injuries. The position then affects both protection calls and the help the Patriots must send. Cova’s view is that the current arrangement is not holding up, and his recommendation is to test the alternative before the season gets further along.
The scrutiny also follows the investment. Two first-round picks on the offensive line raise the stakes for getting the right side settled, and Cova argues the team should find out what Lomu can do rather than wait. That is a call for a faster transition, and it puts the decision in the context of Maye’s protection rather than a single position battle.
What a Rookie Right Tackle Change Would Test
Handing the job to Lomu would test his pass protection first. Cova flags bull rushes as a problem, and a rookie tackle who struggles there would need help from a tight end or back. That help would come at a cost to the rest of the protection, because the Patriots would have to slide resources to the right side.
The run game would be the second test. Cova sees Lomu as an inconsistent run-blocker, so the Patriots would be trading certainty for development. The payoff would be a younger tackle learning beside Maye, with the mistakes that come with it. Cova’s argument is that those mistakes are worth the long-term gain.
For Maye, the change would put a rookie on the right side of a line already dealing with injuries. Cova’s critique of Maye’s decisions in the Packers loss fits that context: pressure affects how a quarterback sees the field. A young tackle’s losses would arrive in the same area Maye needs clean.
Colts Up Next
New England’s next game is against the Indianapolis Colts, and the right tackle spot will be the next on-field test. Cova’s argument will be measured by whether the right side holds up.
