March 18, 2026, 6:00 a.m. ET
After a week of free agency, the Lions are clearly still in search of an EDGE to partner with Aidan Hutchinson long-term. The 2nd round seems like the ideal time to get one, assuming they go with an OT in the 1st round. Gabe Jacas is one of the top candidates projected to go in the 2nd round. Here is the excerpt of my medical report on Jacas.
(Ages in parentheses are at start of 2026 season and are factored into the concern level. Injury info and ages based on available public information are unverified and subject to update. Games played data courtesy of sports-reference.com.)
Gabe Jacas, EDGE (22) – Illinois
Projected round 2-3.
Concern level 0/10
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Jacas finished with 35.5 TFL and 27 sacks in his 4 year career. He has a perfect record of reliability except for his bowl game opt-out.
His right hand injury as a child is a distant issue and isn’t a concern after proving himself for 4 years in college. There is no record of any other injury which means he is one of the cleanest prospects in the draft.
If he is available in the 2nd round, he could be an ideal, low-risk, premium-position selection for the Lions.
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