Twitter reacts to Patriots trading up, drafting LB Gabe Jacas on Day 2

[ASFN Admin]

The New England Patriots selected edge rusher Gabe Jacas from Illinois with the 55th overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft. They used picks No. 63, 131 and 202 to move up in a trade with the Los Angeles Chargers to get their man on Friday night.

Jacas, a First-Team All-Big Ten defender, fills an immediate edge-rushing need for the Patriots. He recorded 43 tackles, 11 sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss last season. He also proved to be a disruptor in terms of creating turnovers, as he forced three fumbles on the year to go along with seven quarterback hurries and 22 quarterback hits.

Heading into the draft, the Patriots' top two options at edge rusher were Dre'Mont Jones and Harold Landry III. K'Lavon Chaisson signed with the Washington Commanders in free agency, and the Patriots released Anfernee Jennings this offseason.

Now, Jacas, a former two-time high school state wrestling champion, will step in and try to help fill the void. Here are some of the reactions on social media to the Patriots' Day 2 draft pick:

#Patriots rookie Gabe Jacas was an All-State wrestler in high school and was thought to be the most violent pass rusher in the draft class.

6’4”
260lbs
21-Years-Old
4-Year Starter

Love this pick! pic.twitter.com/a1GI4ARiwW

— Carlos A. Lopez (@LosTalksPats) April 25, 2026

My only regret is having to wait til Monday to have Boston sports radio hosts explain why drafting Gabe Jacas, a team captain with 12 sacks, 13.5 TFLs and 50 career games was a bad pickpic.twitter.com/b7bNyKGpmE

— Jerry Thornton (@jerrythornton) April 25, 2026

Initial thoughts and film on Gabe Jacas, who might be as close to a perfect #Patriots match as there is in this draft pic.twitter.com/RxLtrdAiMy

— Taylor Kyles (@tkyles39) April 25, 2026

Violent. Incredibly strong. A true Mike Vrabel edge player.

Matthew Judon was his pro comp at https://t.co/qSBwtQTIao: https://t.co/YQAWUU8PGjhttps://t.co/j0ZaEfU7Vk

— Andrew Callahan (@_AndrewCallahan) April 25, 2026

.@tkyles39 on the Patriots selecting Illinois EDGE Gabe Jacas with the 55th pick:

"I like the violence ... he's a guy who can play every down. He's been a captain ... He checks a lot of the boxes for what the Patriots like."

FULL Gabe Jacas Reaction: https://t.co/uZ6m6oBoeRhttps://t.co/0RfRG5Zrkqpic.twitter.com/i6obyacstR

— Patriots on CLNS (@PatriotsCLNS) April 25, 2026

I love the aggressiveness in the draft by the team.
So refreshing

— Ozzyman (@Ozzyman314) April 25, 2026

First two picks pic.twitter.com/1xDviOYrIL

— Mike (@kingmike0215) April 25, 2026

I actually love this pick for them. Zak Kuhr type of guy

— TB EGO (@TomBradyEgo) April 25, 2026

pic.twitter.com/7FOuPJPjPB

— Special (@Specops119) April 25, 2026

I hope Pats fans realize what they just got in Jacas. Led the B10 in sacks last year & gives MAXIMUM effort every single play. Y'all got a gem and in a couple years or so, I wouldn't be surprised to see him dominating NFL QBs. As a lifelong Illini fan, I'm so happy for him!

— Juju (@JujuTheD00d) April 25, 2026

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This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Twitter reacts to Patriots trading up, drafting LB Gabe Jacas on Day 2

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