​Leading up to the NFL Draft, one position loomed larger than any other for the New England Patriots: the defensive edge. They bypassed it in the first round by taking offensive tackle Caleb Lomu with the 28th overall pick, but they did address the edge in round two with a move that brought in a promising young prospect. After trading up with the Chargers, the Patriots selected Gabe Jacas as the 55th overall pick, hoping to bolster their front. At least initially, there was optimism around the 22-year-old, yet he has not taken the practice fields in any meaningful way and has not signed his rookie contract. As training camp approaches, Jacas stands out as arguably the biggest unknown on the Patriots’ defensive front.
Name: Gabe Jacas
Position: Defensive edge/outside linebacker
Jersey number: 50
Opening day age: 22 (May 27, 2004)
Measurements: 6’3 5/8”, 261 lbs, 10” hands, 33” arm length, 78 7/8” wingspan
40-yard dash: 4.69 seconds
Bench press: 30 reps
Relative Athletic Score: N/A
NFL team: New England Patriots (2026-) | College: Illinois (2022–2025)
A three-star edge recruit who was also a state champion and all-state wrestler from Fort Pierce, Florida, Jacas began his path at Tulane before deciding to transfer to Illinois in December 2021. As a true freshman, he appeared in all 13 Illini games, starting eight, and posted five tackles for loss and four sacks, earning All-Big Ten honorable mention and the school’s Rookie of the Year designation.
With his sophomore year, Jacas’s production continued to rise, recording four sacks. In his junior season, he tied for the Big Ten lead in forced fumbles (three) and ranked fifth in sacks during the regular season (eight), earning third-team All-Conference honors. His senior year culminated in a standout campaign as he led the conference with 11 sacks, ranking sixth in the nation in that category. After the 2025 season, Jacas declared for the NFL Draft and accepted invitations to both the NFL Combine and the Senior Bowl, positioning himself for selection at 55th overall by the Patriots in the second round.
Strengths: Jacas’s 260-pound frame and 30 bench press reps at the Combine underscore his power off the edge. His pass-rush plan leans on that strength, with the bull rush as his primary move, and his wrestling background informs his hand usage. He plays with a high level of violence and has a tireless motor, not shying away from engaging blocks in the run game. His hustle has produced multiple late-dropback plays, and he took on a leadership role at Illinois, being named a captain in 2025.
Weaknesses: While his 1.59-second 10-yard split at the Pro Day is elite for a 260-pound athlete, Jacas doesn’t always display that same first-step explosiveness on game film. At times he can appear stiff, and some evaluators wonder if he can smooth out his movements to maximize his quickness off the edge. Additional refinement in his overall pass-rush repertoire and consistency would help translate his athletic traits to the pro level.
In sum, Gabe Jacas arrives in the NFL as a high-motor, power-leaning edge prospect with a track record of production across Illinois’s five-year span. He brings leadership experience, a strong rushing plan anchored in power, and notable athletic traits for his size. If he can translate his college dominance into a more dynamic, technically refined approach at the professional level and unlock his initial first-step explosiveness, Jacas could grow into a valuable piece for New England’s defensive front as he continues to develop in the NFL.