3 edge defenders who could quietly solve a Patriots need in NFL Draft

The New England Patriots are under a month away from ushering in a new rookie class in the 2026 NFL Draft. Wide receivers, offensive tackles, and safeties have all been mentioned as potential additions, but no position needs more help than the edge as things stand.

The Patriots will see Harold Landry, Elijah Ponder, and Bradyn Swinson return to the team, while they inked Dre'Mont Jones to replace new Washington Commander K'Lavon Chaisson. Jesse Luketa was also brought in after spending time with the Cardinals and Rams. He has three career sacks and has mostly operated as a special-teamer.

Several edge defenders have been named as potential fits for the Patriots this offseason, including Auburn's Keldric Faulk, Oklahoma's R Mason Thomas, and Texas A&M's Cashius Howell. The options certainly don't end there, however, as the Patriots have the chance to add less hyped edge talents down the board.

These edge defenders could help fix a key Patriots weakness in 2026 draft

Gabe Jacas, Illinois

Projected Range: Rounds 1-2

Jacas is a player I've mentioned as someone who could very easily sneak into the end of the first round, despite a plethora of edge rushers on the cusp. It's a safe bet he'll go within the first 50 picks, and if that is the case, the Patriots may need to trade up for him if they go another direction at No. 31.

Jacas offers pure power as a pass rusher, and that worked for him tremendously, as he racked up 11 sacks last year. He notched 6.5 of those sacks in the final four games of the season. Admittedly, recency bias may play a role in Jacas truthers believing in him as a first-round talent.

He isn't a tremendous athlete, but Jacas' power has been more than enough to make him a productive college player at a Power 4 school. If the Patriots are looking to upgrade their edge rusher position for the long haul, Jacas could be their first-round selection.

Derrick Moore, Michigan

Projected Range: Rounds 1-2

Similar to Jacas, Moore is another productive Big Ten edge defender. Notching 10 sacks this season, his 17.5 percent pressure rate was higher than Jacas'. Moore also had a lower missed tackle rate, but Jacas had more run stops than he did.

Moore isn't nearly as experienced a player as Jacas, playing 700 fewer snaps in his career, but he profiles as a similar level edge defender. He has more bend than Jacas, but he isn't as sure a run defender. The two players are quite comparable, however, and either could be a solid option if New England opts to add an edge defender in the first two rounds.

Caden Curry, Ohio State

Projected Range: Rounds 4-5

Aside from adding the starpower along the defensive line that could come through an addition in the first two rounds, New England also needs to add depth. They released Anfernee Jennings this month, who was their fill-in for Harold Landry when he was limited by an injury. Ponder and Swinson aren't great options behind Landry and Jones should they go down long-term, so adding depth should be a priority just as much as a long-term starter.

Curry fits the bill for Mike Vrabel as a player who can both rush the passer and has the size to be a force in the run game. He stands at 6-foot-3, weighs in at 257 pounds, and racked up 11 sacks last season for the Buckeyes.

Despite strong numbers, only 3 of his 11 sacks came against ranked competition. Nonetheless, he managed two against Indiana in the Big Ten Championship, helping Matt Patricia's defense hold Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza's offense to just 13 despite the Buckeyes' loss.

Curry likely benefitted from the immense talent in OSU's front seven. Arvell Reese, Sonny Styles, and Kayden McDonald could all be first-round picks, while Kenyatta Jackson opted to return to school for another year. Despite the talent around him, teams would have caught on to an 11-sack pass rusher by the end of the season, when he had two against IU.

All in all, Jacas, Moore, and Curry would each add a productive edge threat to the mix for a team that desperately needs it. While Jacas and Moore are thought more highly of, there's no doubt the OSU alum has the size and production to make for a very solid rotational piece in Zak Kuhr's defense. Time will tell who Vrabel and company select, but the Patriots have the chance to alter their defensive line for the better.