The New England Patriots are doing their homework on the 2026 NFL Draft's top pass-rushing talent, reportedly hosting two of the class's most promising edge rushers for crucial top-30 visits. According to reports, UCF's Malachi Lawrence and Illinois' Gabe Jacas have each made the trip to Foxboro, signaling the team's serious intent to bolster a critical position of need.

While the Patriots added veteran Dre'Mont Jones in free agency and still have Harold Landry III, the lack of depth and youth on the edge is a glaring concern. With a league-high 11 draft picks at their disposal, New England is in a prime position to aggressively address this weakness, making these prospect evaluations all the more important.

Both Lawrence and Jacas bring impressive pedigrees. Lawrence, a First-Team All-Big 12 selection, terrorized offenses with his blend of speed and power, notching seven sacks and 11 tackles for loss in his final collegiate season. Jacas, a First-Team All-Big Ten star, was even more productive, racking up 11 sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss. They are widely projected as potential Day 1 or early Day 2 selections, meaning the Patriots, with their draft capital, could realistically target one or even both players.

For a Patriots defense in need of a dynamic spark, adding a disruptive force like Lawrence or Jacas would be a game-changer. These visits show New England is determined to rebuild its pass rush from the ground up, aiming to inject the defense with the young, high-ceiling talent required to compete in the modern NFL.