Patriots Day 2 Haul: Jacas, Raridon, and What Experts Actually Think About New England's Picks

The New England Patriots made their moves on Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft, and the talking heads have plenty to say about what GM Eliot Wolf and head coach Mike Vrabel actually accomplished. After trading up to land offensive tackle Caleb Lomu with the 28th overall pick on Thursday night, the Patriots came back Friday with a linebacker and a tight end, and the reactions are rolling in.

Gabe Jacas Lands in New England

With the 55th overall pick in Round 2, the Patriots selected Illinois linebacker Gabe Jacas via a trade with the Los Angeles Chargers. Jacas wasted no time making his feelings known. "It's my kind of football," the linebacker said after hearing his name called. That confidence matters when you're stepping into a Patriots uniform, and the experts took notice of how Wolf and Vrabel built this particular piece of the puzzle.

Rounding Out the Defense

New England stayed aggressive in Round 3, using the 95th overall pick to bring in tight end Eli Raridon from Utah. The back-to-back selections showed a clear strategy: shore up the offensive line, get linebacker help, and add depth at tight end. Patriots executives broke down the logic on the Patriots Unfiltered Draft Show, with Wolf explaining that "Caleb has a lot of versatility" in addressing the media on Thursday.

The Patriots' remaining picks include selections in Round 5, 6 (three of them, including one acquired from the Chiefs and another pulled through a chain involving the Vikings, Texans, 49ers, and Vikings), and Round 7. Fans voting for the 2026 Patriots Hall of Fame finalists (Rob Gronkowski, Logan Mankins, and Adam Vinatieri) have until April 28 to cast their ballots. The draft coverage continues through Day 3 on Saturday.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.