Grading the pick: New England Patriots turn back the clock by adding old-school pass rusher in Illinois Gabe Jacas
The New England Patriots have made their second pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, selecting Illinois pass rusher Gabe Jacas.
The New England Patriots had to wait awhile to pick in the second round 2026 NFL Draft, but they made a move up to get their guy and bolster the pass rush here.
After adding Utah offensive tackle Caleb Lomu in the first round, they turn around by addressing the defensive line with Gabe Jacas. The Patriots needed to bolster their pass rush, and Jacas is an old-school throwback pass rusher.
New England Patriots go old-school with new-school pass rusher
Gabe Jacas was one of the most productive pass rushers in college football over the last two years. He recorded 11 sacks in 2025 and eight in 2024. He also had a knack for forcing fumbles with three in each of the last two years. Has a wrestling background, and he shows it when rushing the passer. Tries to bully offensive linemen off their spot on his way to the quarterback, and he was able to do it often. That method will be a bit more difficult at the next level, though.
He didn’t get to show off his true athleticism at the scouting combine or his pro day because he was nursing an injury. At a private workout he held with some teams, he impressed, though. He projects as a solid power pass-rusher and can be very productive. Unfortunately, his run game film is pretty rough, and he has a long way to go in that regard. So he likely won’t be a three-down player anytime soon. As a pass rusher, though, he showed the ability to overpower tackles off the edge and kick inside on stunts to rush out of the interior.
Destin Adams
The name of Gabe Jacas’s game is physicality. He’s a mauler at the point of attack, displaying excellent play strength and bull rush ability. Jacas uses his length well to collapse the pocket. I loved his versatility in Illinois’ multiple front, as he aligned from multiple spots for the Illini. As a pass rusher, he’s a speed-to-power phenom, and I think his first step is better than it’s given credit for. He won’t win with bend, but he will run through a blocker’s face time and time again, a true New England Patriots type of rusher.
In the run game, Jacas delivers heavy hands to jolt blockers at the point of attack. He dropped weight to play wider, but it didn’t diminish his play strength or ability to hold up at the point of attack at all. He can set an edge at a high level, and his motor is constantly running hot.
He’s a high-floor edge rusher who should immediately bolster the Patriots’ pass rush rotation as a three-down defender. His power profile should immediately translate to the NFL, and he is a much more consistent run defender than K’Lavon Chaisson was last year. I thought he was the best edge rusher left in the draft, and he can be a long-term piece for the Patriots. Him, Harold Landry, and Dre’Mont Jones is a strong trio.
Grade: A
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