Eliot Wolf knows the New England Patriots don’t have a Trey Hendrickson among their edge-rushers, but the executive vice president and de facto general manager is doing something about it by hosting two defensive ends from the 2026 NFL draft class, including one who compares favorably to the four-time Pro Bowler.
The Pats visited with both “UCF EDGE Malachi Lawrence and Illinois EDGE Gabe Jacas,” according to Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald. Kyed reported “Jacas was in this week. Lawrence was in Foxboro late last month.”
Jacas and Lawrence are potential fits for what Wolf has identified as a priority for the Patriots in this draft. Namely, finding a quick-twitch edge-rusher or two.
Wolf told reporters on Monday, April 13, “I think we could complement our room with some speed. … We would like to get faster,” per Kyed.
Those words make a comp with All-Pro Hendrickson intriguing, and perhaps not ideal for the Patriots’ updated pass-rush plan.
Trey Hendrickson a Contentious Comp for Gabe Jacas
Jacas was the latest edge to visit Gillette Stadium before the draft, so his comparison to Hendrickson is a good place to start. The comp comes from The Ringer’s Todd McShay, who believes “Jacas, like Hendrickson (pick no. 103), won’t be a first-rounder because of his athletic profile. But both are excellent with their hands, have strong wrestling backgrounds, and play with relentless motor and toughness. Jacas should develop into one of the steals from this draft.”
McShay’s point of contention with Jacas’ game concerns the former Illinois standout not being “the most sudden pass rusher and he exhibits some clear redirect tightness that leaves too many sacks/tackles on the field.”
That hardly fits with Wolf’s stated desire for the Patriots “to get faster” rushing the passer. Perhaps he and the scouting department will put more onus on their earlier visit with Lawrence.
The latter was compared with Minnesota Vikings edge Jonathan Greenard by ESPN’s Matt Miller. He noted how “Lawrence’s burst and outside ability show up throughout the evaluation of him. In watching him jump the snap, it’s easy to see him making plays in the pros when lined up in space.”
Maybe the Patriots would be best served not to gamble on potential and simply trade for Greenard. He wants out of Minnesota, and the Vikings might even accept less than a first-round pick in exchange.
Either way, Wolf and the Pats are getting proactive about restocking a pass-rush room depleted by losing K’Lavon Chaisson in 2026 NFL free agency. The rebuild is focused on changing how the Patriots get to quarterbacks.
Patriots Chasing Elusive Speed Up Front
Speed is in short supply up front, where New England’s defensive line is defined more by bulk on the inside. Formidable defensive tackles Milton Williams and Christian Barmore lead the pass rush, with veteran Harold Landry III benefitting from less attention on the outside.
What’s missing is a true speed-based rusher off the edge. It’s why edge-rusher is becoming a popular choice for the Patriots in mock drafts.
Wolf is clearly aware of the need to add talent to the position, but he should guard against becoming too tethered to a single trait. Speed isn’t the only way to apply pressure. A power rusher able to collapse the edge can also move a quarterback off his spot.
The Patriots need skilled pass-rushers from this draft, no matter how that skill is exemplified. Selecting a Hendrickson-type would surely yield the immediate upgrade Wolf is seeking.
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