The New England Patriots have officially wrapped up their pre-draft visit window, and the final list reveals a clear strategic focus. With the window closing Wednesday, the team has now hosted a total of 25 prospects, and the latest additions shine a spotlight on a critical need: pass rush.
On Thursday, it was reported that edge defenders Malachi Lawrence from UCF and Gabe Jacas from Illinois made their way to Foxborough. These visits bring the Patriots' reported total to 25 out of their allotted 30 slots, signaling intense evaluation in the lead-up to the draft.
Both Lawrence and Jacas are considered among the top edge rushers in this class, with projections suggesting they could be off the board by the end of the second round. Their invitations to Gillette Stadium underscore the Patriots' priority to bolster a defense that thrives on pressure.
Lawrence, a 22-year-old, 6-foot-4, 253-pound standout, spent his entire collegiate career at UCF. As a fifth-year senior in 2025, he earned first-team All-Big 12 honors, appearing in 39 games with 22 starts and posting 20 combined tackles. His impressive 9.90 Relative Athletic Score highlights the explosive athleticism that modern NFL defenses covet.
His counterpart, 21-year-old Gabe Jacas, was a productive force during his four years at Illinois. Starting 43 of 50 games, Jacas racked up 27 sacks and forced seven fumbles, leaving as a team captain and a second-team All-Big Ten selection. That kind of proven playmaking ability is exactly what teams look for to disrupt opposing offenses.
Lawrence and Jacas weren't the only edge rushers to get a look from the Patriots' brass. They join a group that includes R Mason Thomas (Oklahoma), Romello Height (Texas Tech), Zion Young (Missouri), George Gumbs Jr. (Florida), and Keyron Crawford (Auburn). This concentrated effort shows a comprehensive approach to scouting the position.
As Executive Vice President of Player Personnel Eliot Wolf explained this week, these visits serve multiple purposes: "We bring guys in for a variety of reasons, whether it’s to get medical, to get them in front of Mike [Vrabel]. Then if there are some questions about the character, their learning, the position fit." For Patriots fans, this flurry of activity on the defensive front is a promising sign of a team diligently working to rebuild its identity in the trenches.