New England Patriots
The Patriots packaged three picks on Friday night time to commerce up and draft Jacas.
The New England Patriots bolstered their pass-rushing corps on Friday night time — drafting Illinois defensive finish Gabe Jacas within the second spherical (No. 55 total) of the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Patriots traded up within the second spherical to pick out Jacas — sending picks No. 63, No. 131, and No. 202 to the Los Angeles Chargers in trade for that fifty fifth decide.
Jacas, 21, is coming off a powerful season as a group captain with Illinois, main the Huge Ten with 11 sacks whereas forcing three fumbles in 12 video games. He added 43 tackles, 13.5 of which had been tackles-for-loss.
A four-year starter with the Combating Illini, Jacas initiatives as the kind of high-motor, bodily participant that Mike Vrabel and the Patriots have coveted on the defensive facet of the ball.
The 6-4, 260-pounder may begin off his profession as a rotational edge rusher, however Jacas has the body to develop and develop right into a three-down stalwart in due time.
NFL.com’s draft profile of Jacas tabbed his NFL comparability as former Patriots standout pass-rusher Matthew Judon.
A former state champion wrestler in Florida, Jacas addresses a direct want for the Patriots, who solely recorded 35 sacks through the 2025 common season. Solely six NFL golf equipment recorded fewer sacks final yr than New England.
Even with New England signing Dre’Mont Jones in free agency, the Patriots want all of the pass-rushing help they’ll get — particularly after Okay’Lavon Chaisson left in free company.
Speaking earlier this month, Patriots govt vp of participant personnel Eliot Wolf acknowledged that upgrading the sting place was one of many priorities for New England on this draft.
“Yeah, we might complement our room with some pace. I feel I feel that’s evident,” Wolf mentioned. “Dre’Mont and Harold [Landry] and Elijah [Ponder] and a number of the different guys we have now, all of them have their talent units. We wish to get quicker.
“, Dre’Mont’s a man that may play throughout the road, run video games. I imply, he can sneakily beat you with pace, however that’s most likely not his bread and butter. And that’s an space that we’re trying, once more, trying to attempt to enhance the depth on the roster.”
The Patriots are subsequent on the clock within the third spherical of the 2026 NFL Draft with the ninety fifth decide.
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