The New England Patriots traded up to select Illinois edge rusher Gabe Jacas in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft. What does Jacas bring to the pass rush in Foxboro? We'll examine.
The New England Patriots entered the 2026 offseason with a need at edge rusher. On an overall stout defensive unit, the position had become their biggest weakness. Ranked 24th in the NFL in pressure rate and 23rd in sacks in 2025, New England subtracted more than they added in the room entering the NFL Draft, and adding an immediate-impact pass rusher who could generate consistent pressure was a top priority.
After drafting a long-term answer at offensive tackle with a trade-up in the first round, the Patriots’ aggressiveness continued in the second round. New England moved up eight spots to the 55th overall selection, sending their original 63rd, 131st, and 202nd picks to the Los Angeles Chargers to secure Gabe Jacas before the first wave of premium edge talent was off the board.
Jacas is a former two-time state champion wrestler (at 220 lbs. as a junior and 285 lbs. as a senior in high school) whose violent play demeanor, heavy hands, and explosive burst off the snap make him the greatest identity fit in the Patriots’ draft class.
A four-year starter and former team captain with the Illinois Fighting Illini, he racked up 27 sacks, 31 quarterback hits, 83 hurries, 142 total pressures, and seven forced fumbles in his collegiate career, along with 183 total tackles and 96 stops in the run game. His 2025 season was a career year, as he posted 11 sacks, 7 quarterback hits, 22 hurries, and 41 pressures with a 14.9% pass-rush win rate and an 88.0 pass-rush grade.
During his time at Illinois, Jacas was named as a Freshman All-American (2022), Third-Team All-American and Third-Team All-Big Ten (2024), and Second-Team All-Big Ten honoree in 2025. He led the Fighting Illini in sacks, tackles for loss, and forced fumbles in each of the last two seasons.
Jacas’ high-level wrestling background is clearly visible in his physically dominant play style. Rounding out his tools as a polished pass rusher, Jacas worked extensively at Illinois with former New England pass-rush consultant Joe Kim — a seventh-degree taekwondo black belt who blends martial-arts principles into hand-fighting technique. That knowledge allows Jacas make the most of his stout frame (6'4", 260 pounds) to overwhelm blockers, create disruption against both the pass and the run, and effectively counter when tackles overset.
He did not test at the NFL Scouting Combine while recovering from a hamstring injury, but at his Pro Day he measured in at 6’3 ½”, 260 lbs., ran a 4.69-second 40-yard dash with an outstanding 1.59-second 10-yard split and bench-pressed 225 lbs. 30 times. Those metrics earned him a 9.59 Relative Athletic Score, ranking 93rd out of 2,257 defensive end prospects from 1987-2026.
The Patriots had shown strong interest prior to the draft, hosting Jacas in Foxboro for a Top 30 visit. That interest quickly turned into action with their second trade-up of the first two rounds. With five edge rushers already selected in the first 13 picks of the second round and six more gone in the first round, New England made sure Jacas returned to Foxboro on a more permanent visit.
Jacas arrives as an aggressive, physically imposing edge threat with great burst and finishing ability. His proven production on the field and in the locker room makes him the perfect embodiment of the culture the Patriots have been building. He is ready to provide immediate value at the team’s greatest need while showing the leadership potential to evolve into a cornerstone of the defense for years to come.
Looking Ahead
The Patriots secured an immediate contributor at a premium position of need early on Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft. Next, we’ll take a closer look at the big play potential New England added to the tight end room when they selected Notre Dame’s Eli Raridon at No. 95 overall.
Who is your favorite selection by the Patriots in the 2026 NFL Draft? What would you grade their draft? Let us know in the comments section below.
–
Patriots Roundtable also offers a fan community and message board. We’d love to have you join us to talk all things Patriots. Click the “Join” button at the top of the page to join our community for free.
–
Related Articles:
Check out the Patriots Roundtable Podcast!