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Patriots trade up to nab Illinois edge Gabe Jacas with pick No. 55 in 2026 NFL Draft

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The Athletic
2026/04/25 - 01:12 503 مشاهدة
AFC EastBillsDolphinsJetsPatriotsAFC NorthBengalsBrownsRavensSteelersAFC SouthColtsJaguarsTexansTitansAFC WestBroncosChargersChiefsRaidersNFC EastCommandersCowboysEaglesGiantsNFC NorthBearsLionsPackersVikingsNFC SouthBuccaneersFalconsPanthersSaintsNFC West49ersCardinalsRamsSeahawksScores & ScheduleStandingsFantasyNFL OddsNFL PicksNFL DraftPodcastsScoop City NewsletterNFL Draft UpdatesRound 1 GradesPicks TrackerBest AvailableThe BeastTop 300 Rankings2026 NFL Draft The Patriots traded up in the second round to draft Gabe Jacas, an edge rusher from the University of Illinois. Michael Reaves / Getty Images Share articleThe Athletic has live coverage of the 2026 NFL Draft. For the second straight night, the New England Patriots moved up in the draft to make sure they got the player they wanted. After a run on edge rushers early in the second round, the Patriots sent the No. 63 overall pick and two Day 3 selections to the Los Angeles Chargers for the 55th pick, which they used to select University of Illinois edge rusher Gabe Jacas. The move reinforces the Patriots’ goal of improving in the trenches under Mike Vrabel and comes one night after they moved up to pick offensive tackle Caleb Lomu. Jacas ranked No. 49 in Dane Brugler’s top 300 big board. Here’s what Brugler had to say about him in his annual NFL Draft guide: “With his rocked-up, athletic build, Jacas is a quick and violent pass rusher who doesn’t need a long runway. He credits his wrestling background for his handwork and maneuvering skills (also worked closely with pass-rush specialist Joe Kim, whom Illinois hired from the New England Patriots in 2025). As a run defender, he uses his heavy hands to strike blockers but gets tangled versus length and must improve his awareness against seal down blocks. “Jacas won’t consistently outrace NFL tackles, but his powerful, proficient technique and aggressive play demeanor should translate well to the next level. He projects as a rotational edge defender.” A quick, aggressive pass rusher whose power and technique should translate well in the NFL. The Patriots traded up to grab Jacas, who was the top pass rusher remaining. Jacas (6-foot-3 1/2, 260 pounds) developed into one of the Big Ten’s top pass rushers with 11 sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss last year. Over his final two seasons, he posted 19 sacks and six forced fumbles. He finished with 43 career starts. Perhaps offensive tackle was the Patriots’ biggest long-term need, but the selection of Jacas addresses the team’s most pressing short-term need. From day one, Jacas should be able to carve out a role as a pass rusher. Harold Landry, who is recovering from a lingering knee injury, and Dre’Mont Jones are slated to be the team’s top edge rushers. Jacas should be able to give New England a bit more speed. His 10-yard split at the combine was 1.59 seconds, the second-fastest of any edge rusher selected so far. With Jones as more of a run stuffer who can slide inside on third downs, there’s an open spot for a pure pass rusher on third downs. That’s the role Jacas should be able to take over as a rookie, with a chance to develop a bigger role from there. Edge rusher is still one of the team’s weaker positions, but this was a good step toward both improving depth and adding a young player with upside. Landry turns 30 this summer, while Jones is 29. The early run on defensive linemen in the second round forced the Patriots’ hand and led to another trade up, this time likely trying to get ahead of the Chicago Bears, who had the 57th pick. Tight end Eli Stowers went one pick before the Pats selected Jacas, so that option was off the board. They could have gone with cornerback Jermod McCoy, whose slide down the draft board is likely the result of a knee injury. Wide receiver Chris Brazzell would’ve been another option, but it makes sense that the Patriots didn’t go that route if they still expect to trade for A.J. Brown. The Patriots did the best they could in a tough situation as edge rushers flew off the board. It isn’t ideal to have to trade up twice in two rounds, but they did what they had to do to address their two biggest positions of need. Is Jacas about to completely transform the Patriots’ edge rusher group? Probably not. But he fills a need the Patriots had to address. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms
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