​The New England Patriots pursued a wide range of draft prospects this offseason, showing interest in more than 140 players and engaging with several of them on multiple occasions. Among them, Khalil Jacobs stood out as the focal point of contact. He met with the Patriots at his pro day and again in virtual conversations, and he even visited Gillette Stadium shortly before the draft. Although these extensive outreach efforts did not culminate in Jacobs being selected in the draft, they helped create an opportunity for him to join the Patriots as a rookie free agent shortly after the event.
Name: Khalil Jacobs
Position: Off-ball linebacker
Jersey number: 59
Opening day age: 22 (born December 1, 2003)
Measurements: 6’1”, 227 pounds; 10 1/4” hand size; 32 1/4” arm length; 77 3/4” wingspan
Athletic testing: 4.77s 40-yard dash; 7.35s 3-cone; 4.54s short shuttle; 40” vertical jump; 11’1” broad jump; 27 bench press reps; 6.44 Relative Athletic Score
NFL affiliation: New England Patriots (2026–)
College history: South Alabama (2022–23), Missouri (2024–25)
Jacobs was a versatile high school two-way player in Niceville, Florida, contributing as both wide receiver and linebacker. He entered college as a three-star recruit and received limited attention on the recruiting trail, which led him to enroll at South Alabama for his first two seasons, where he appeared in 24 games with three starts. During his time with the Jaguars, he recorded 60 tackles, three sacks, three forced fumbles, and an interception. In 2024, Jacobs entered the transfer portal and found a new opportunity at Missouri.
At Missouri, Jacobs started eight of 19 games over two seasons, accumulating 61 tackles and five sacks. Despite steady production, it was not enough to secure a spot in the NFL Draft. Consequently, he joined the Patriots as a rookie free agent after going unselected in the seven rounds of the April 2026 draft.
Strengths: Jacobs is an explosive competitor with the athleticism and play strength to project at the next level. He demonstrates solid instincts when diagnosing plays from a second-level position and shows the ability to pull the trigger decisively once he reads the action. He plays with a high motor, pursuing plays downhill against the run and chasing plays to the sideline with energy. He is a capable tackler, combining power with solid technique rather than relying on sheer physicality. Jacobs also brings valuable special-teams experience and was respected as a team leader at Missouri, traits that can enhance his early impact as a rookie.
Weaknesses: Jacobs is undersized by traditional linebacker standards, and his relatively limited bulk and arm length can constrain his effectiveness in certain matchups. As a pass rusher, he is inconsistent—effective when he finds a gap but easily neutralized when blockers gain control. He lacks the second gear necessary to reliably win downfield in one-on-one coverage, and his reads—while improving—still show room for development in terms of consistency. His college production, though solid, did not reach elite levels, which has been a point of consideration in evaluation. These factors collectively suggest that his path to a sustained NFL role may rely on development in pass defense and a continued emphasis on special teams and situational play.