Just five weeks into the 2026 season, a national writer put the New England Patriots rookie class at 24th out of 32 teams. That ranking is a massive mistake.
The numbers back up the claim. Caleb Lomu stepped in during the Sunday game against the Las Vegas Raiders when Will Campbell went down with an injury. His 4% pressure rate was the second-best among all New England linemen. Head coach Mike Vrabel had high praise for the 21-year-old after the 45-17 win. “I don’t think it was too big for him,” Vrabel said regarding Lomu’s performance, according to Sports Illustrated.
The Edge Rusher Is Ready
Gabe Jacas is another story that gets ignored by the big rankings. The second-round pick started his time in New England with some turmoil, but he has since helped fix the edge rusher room. The 22-year-old uses top-tier strength that shows up every single week. He has become a key part of the defense while the rest of the league still doubts his class.
These two players are not just filling seats. They are starting to look like stars. Lomu thrived as an emergency fill-in while Jacas revitalized a shaky position group. The team drafted Lomu to be the long-term replacement for veteran Morgan Moses, and he is already showing he can handle the load.
Why The Ranking Is Wrong
Rankings often look at the whole roster and forget the immediate impact. This rookie class has made substantial contributions in a short time. They stepped up when the team needed them most against a tough opponent. The 45-17 drubbing of the Raiders showed how deep the talent pool is. Drake Maye shined without his top receivers, but the protection from Lomu was a huge factor in that success.
It is time to stop calling this group average. They are playing with a confidence that wins games. Maye himself noted how good it is to see young guys get rewarded. “It’s just awesome for me to see guys like Caleb (Lomu) getting in there and playing his butt off,” Maye said, according to Sports Illustrated.
The next game against the New York Jets on Sunday, Oct. 18, will test them again. If Lomu and Jacas keep playing like this, the 24th ranking will look even more foolish. The Patriots are building a foundation that the national media refuses to see.
