Patriots analyst gives one draft pick the kind of praise fans want to hear

The New England Patriots Days 1 and 2 of the 2026 draft delivered three players at their top positions of need, all of whom should be ready to contribute immediately. First round pick, offensive tackle Caleb Lomu, will be the swing tackle, and third rounder, tight end Eli Raridon, will slot right in as a second-pass catching tight end.

In between, the Patriots selected a top pass rusher who'll have an immediate impact. It's Gabe Jacas and the Boston Herald's Andrew Callahan grades that pick an A.

Callahan is one of the Patriots' best beat writers and knows his stuff. He hit the nail on the head on Jacas's selection. The Patriots had two overarching needs entering the draft. They first needed to protect franchise quarterback Drake Maye. They did so with the selection of Lomu (and later by picking Dametrius Crownover, a massive offensive tackle from Texas A&M who could be a sleeper).

Then, they needed a sack-producing edge player. That's where Jacas enters the picture.

The Patriots were outclassed by Seattle in the Super Bowl and were sacked 6 times in that drubbing. That disparity was a major reason why they lost a chance to win their seventh Lombardi Trophy. Addressing those two needs early in the draft after not doing much in free agency was essential.

Gabe Jacas's biggest strength is the Patriots' biggest defensive need

When Andrew Callahan threw a garland over the Patriots' selecting Gabe Jacas, he hit the proverbial nail on the head.

The Patriots needed players with Jacas's exact profile, and they made sure to get him by trading up.

Jacas had a terrific 2025 season for Illinois. The 6'3.5", 260-pounder racked up 43 total stops, with 13.5 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, and a pass breakup.

Yet, the biggest plus for the Patriots was in his sack production. It was a desperate need for the 2026 Patriots, and Jacas delivered 11.5 sacks for the Fighting Illini.

Tackles for loss and quarterback hits are all well and good and are helpful, but sacks are the real defensive difference-makers (along with interceptions and forced fumbles). Jacas' double-digit sacks in the Big 12 indicate a real ability to get to the quarterback, but more importantly, finish.

Patriot Nation should be justifiably excited with the Patriots' top three picks. All went to need positions. Though Eli Raridon was somewhat of a reach, tight end was a definite need.

After a great first two days of the draft, including drafting Gabe Jacas, the Patriots went off the rails on Day 3 and reverted to a more Bill Belichick/Eliot Wolf style of drafting. They continued to reach for non-consensus players and didn't maximize their limited Day 3 assets.

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