Patriots Rookie Edge Rusher Will Tout Mike Vrabel's Number Year 1

Illinois Fighting Illini linebacker Gabe Jacas

Patriots Rookie Edge Rusher Will Tout Mike Vrabel's Number Year 1 originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

With the 55th overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft, the New England Patriots picked edge rusher Gabe Jacas out of Illinois.

I believe landing Jacas in the latter half of the second round is one of the best value picks of the entire weekend. The 21-year-old had an amazing collegiate career.

As a 17-year-old freshman, Jacas recorded four sacks for the Illini. He followed that season with another four sack performance as a sophomore, before doubling the number in his junior season. Still only 20-years-old, Jacas elected to stay for his senior year, and it paid off in the form of an 11 sack, 13.5 TFL season.

I would have been happy to land this player in the first, so taking him 55th was a steal.

Clearly, head coach Mike Vrabel and the Patriots staff feel the same way, as they have bestowed the head coach's Super Bowl-winning jersey number on their second-round pick.

If you believe Vrabel had nothing to do with this decision, you are sorely mistaken. There are no accidents, and this was certainly an earned honor.

For me, the fact that Vrabel is allowing Jacas to wear his number on his defense cements my belief that the Patriots drafted an absolute game-changer.

I expect Jacas to contribute immediately with a near double-digit sack season as a rookie. His versatility will land him on the field next to in all scenarios, not just as a third-down pass rusher.