The New England Patriots made their second trade up of the draft on Friday night, moving a fourth-round pick in order to secure the services of Illinois edge defender Gabe Jacas at No. 55 overall. The Big 10 standout had 11 sacks this past year for the Fighting Illini and was also a captain during his senior season.
Over the last two years, he's had 19 sacks and 26.5 TFLs while forcing 6 fumbles.
Jacas will be tasked with beating out veterans for playing time on the Patriots' edge. Harold Landry will return to full health after being banged up for most of the end of last season, while Dre'Mont Jones was signed after a career-high 7 sacks with Tennessee and Baltimore in 2025. New England also rosters Elijah Ponder, a UDFA in 2025, who had 4 sacks last season.
While Jacas may not be a starter to begin with, he'll no doubt have a major role in the Patriots' front seven. Standing at 6-foot-3, 260 pounds, he has a sturdy frame that resembles K'Lavon Chaisson's, who was signed by the Commanders in free agency after a career year in New England.
Gabe Jacas will look to replicate Matt Judon's production in New England
Jacas is clearly an exceptional pass rusher. Beyond his 19 sacks over the last two years, he posted a 14.9% pass rush win rate in 2025, with an 88.0 pass rush grade and an 86.3 true set pass rush grade, according to PFF.
While Landry and Chaisson each had their moments last season, New England hasn't had a 10+ sack player since 2022.
Both Matt Judon (15.5) and Josh Uche (11.5) eclipsed that threshold in 2022, but the Patriots have struggled to find a top-tier rusher like the former since his being traded to Atlanta. In Jacas, however, they may have found one.
While speaking to reporters after being drafted, Jacas revealed that he looks up to Judon as a pass rusher. During his Patriots' tenure, Judon had 32 sacks in 38 regular-season games. He played in only four games during the 2023 season due to an injury, his final season with the team.
Gabe Jacas says he looked up to Matthew Judon. Noted that Bret Bielema showed them a lot of Patriots tape at Illinois.
— Mark Daniels (@ByMarkDaniels) April 25, 2026
Furthermore, Daniels mentions that Illinois head coach Bret Bielema showed Illinois pass rushers their fair share of the four-time Pro Bowler's tape.
Bielema worked closely with Bill Belichick's staff in 2018 and 2019, first as a consultant and then as the defensive line coach, before taking a job with the Giants ahead of the 2020 season.
Jacas is a player I was a huge fan of during the pre-draft process, and it's hard not to love his fit as a powerful and productive edge rusher in New England. If he can find a way to replicate Judon's success, he'll be a second-round pick to remember.
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