The New England Patriots were able to make two selections on Day 2 of the NFL Draft. One of those additions was Illinois edge rusher Gabe Jacas. The Patriots lost K'Lavon Chaisson to the Washington Commanders in free agency and had a hole along the edge rotation.
With the addition of Jacas to the fold, he's a player who will make an impact on Day 1 and should turn the depth chart upside down. Harold Landry III and Dre'Mont Jones are the top two edge rushers heading into the season, but Jacas is a player who could make a push for more playing time immediately.
Gabe Jacas Could Have a Role with Patriots from Day 1
Jacas was a four-year starter with Illinois, where he was impactful in every season. He's an athletic defender with strong hands that translate to power and collapse the pocket. Jacas also owns a relentless motor and is durable. He played in 50 straight games for the Fighting Illini.
During his college career with Illinois, Jacas logged 183 total tackles, 35.5 TFLs, 27 sacks, and seven forced fumbles. The Athletic's Dane Brugler had him ranked as the 11th-best edge rusher in this class. In his takeaway, he wrote, "his powerful, proficient technique and aggressive play demeanor should translate well to the next level. He projects as a rotational edge defender."
While he will be entering his first year in the NFL, there's certainly room for Jacas to carve out a role immediately. Landry II dealt with a nagging knee injury that gave him trouble last season, including missing some time during the postseason. He's been rehabbing that knee this offseason, indicating that it's still giving him some trouble.
He's still recovering, but having a player like Jacas waiting in the wings is massive. Especially since Chaisson's 7.5 sacks and 54 total pressures are gone. The Florida native played a lot of football in college, and that experience should benefit him in the NFL. On Pro Football Focus, Jacas finished last season with a 78.0 overall grade and 88.0 pass rush grade last season.
Those grades, in combination with the stats he put up, show how productive Jacas can be and why there's excitement around him. It's also worth mentioning that the Patriots traded up from No. 63 to No. 55. That shows how they viewed him, and deciding to move up is telling. Jacas is someone who will have an impact in 2026, and fans should expect it to be on Day 1.
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