Patriots draft profile: Gabe Jacas provides violence along the edge

CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 29: Gabe Jacas #17 of the Illinois Fighting Illini celebrates a sack against the Western Illinois Leathernecks during the first half at Memorial Stadium on August 29, 2025 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) | Getty Images As both executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf and head coach Mike Vrabel said at the NFL Combine, the edge position is one of the biggest needs for the New England Patriots. Even after signing Dre’Mont Jones to a three-year deal on the first day of free agency, that remains true.

Jones is expected to start opposite of Harold Landry, but the veteran’s ability after an injury plagued season is TBD as he continues his rehab process. And after losing K’Lavon Chaisson and Anfernee Jennings in free agency, just second-year players Elijah Ponder and Bradyn Swinson remain as top secondary options on the depth chart. That being said, the Patriots adding to the group early in the NFL Draft seems like a foregone conclusion based on the offseason so far.

And if they do, Illinois’ Gabe Jacas may be under consideration. Hard facts Name: Gabe Jacas Position: Edge rusher School: Illinois (Jr. ) Opening day age: 22 (5/27/2004) Measurements : 6’4”, 260 lbs, 33” arm length, 10” hand size, 4.

69 40-yard dash, 1. 59 10-yard split, 30 bench press reps, N/A Relative Athletic Score Experience College: University of Illinois (2022-25) Career statistics : 50 games | 2,269 defensive snaps, 211 special teams snaps | 183 total tackles, 35. 5 TFLs, 7 FFs, 1 FR | 142 quarterback pressures (27 sacks, 31 hits, 83 hurries) | 2 PD | 9 penalties Accolades: First-team All-Big Ten (2025), Third-team All-American (2024), Third-team All-Big Ten (2024), Freshman All-American (2022) A three-star high school recruit, Jacas was also a state champion and all-state wrestler before committing to the University of Illinois.