The Chargers will allow the Patriots to climb up a few spots. New England is moving up to No. 55. The Patriots are selecting Illinois edge rusher Gabe Jacas.
The Pats are sending Nos. 63, 101 and 202 to the Bolts in exchange for that 55th overall selection. This is the second straight move-up for New England, which did the same in the first round. The reigning AFC champions came into the draft with the 31st pick, but they sent it to the division-rival Bills in a deal for No. 28. The Patriots then addressed a key need in choosing Utah offensive tackle Caleb Lomu. They have checked another box with the Jacas pick.
Despite ranking 19th in pass rush win rate and 26th in sacks last season, the Patriots went 14-3 and advanced to the Super Bowl. They have since lost one of their sack leaders from 2025, K’Lavon Chaisson, who left for the Commanders in free agency. The Patriots added Dre’Mont Jones via the open market, but he is also versatile enough to line up on the inside. Jacas will join Jones and Harold Landry as the Patriots’ top edge rushers next season. The soon-to-be 22-year-old will also add some much-needed youth at the position. Both Jones and Landry will turn 30 in 2027.
The high-motor Jacas was productive in all four years at Illinois, where he played 50 games and registered 27 sacks. He posted personal bests in tackles for loss (13.5) and sacks (11) in 2025, a first-team All-Big Ten season. The 6-foot-4, 260-pounder also forced three fumbles for the second year in a row. Dane Brugler of The Athletic ranked Jacas as the 49th-best prospect available before the draft, lauding his “powerful, proficient technique.”
I don’t watch college football, but this guy seems to have gotten great grades! I’m excited to see what he’s got. Can he replace KLavon?