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The New England Patriots hosted two edger-rushers from the 2026 NFL draft, including one compared to 4-time Pro Bowler Trey Hendrickson.<\/p>\n
Eliot Wolf knows the New England Patriots<\/a> don\u2019t have a Trey Hendrickson<\/a> 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<\/a> draft class, including one who compares favorably to the four-time Pro Bowler.<\/p>\n The Pats visited with both \u201cUCF EDGE Malachi Lawrence and Illinois EDGE Gabe Jacas,\u201d according to Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald<\/a>. Kyed reported \u201cJacas was in this week. Lawrence was in Foxboro late last month.\u201d<\/p>\n Sources: UCF EDGE Malachi Lawrence and Illinois EDGE Gabe Jacas each took Top 30 visits with the #Patriots<\/a>.<\/p>\n Jacas was in this week. Lawrence was in Foxboro late last month.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Wolf told reporters on Monday, April 13, \u201cI think we could complement our room with some speed. \u2026 We would like to get faster,\u201d per Kyed<\/a>.<\/p>\n Patriots EVP Eliot Wolf on potential edge defenders in the draft: \u201cI think we could complement our room with some speed. \u2026 We would like to get faster.\u201d<\/p>\n Those words make a comp with All-Pro Hendrickson intriguing, and perhaps not ideal for the Patriots\u2019 updated pass-rush plan.<\/p>\n Trey Hendrickson a Contentious Comp for Gabe Jacas<\/p>\n 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\u2019s Todd McShay<\/a>, who believes \u201cJacas, like Hendrickson (pick no. 103), won\u2019t 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.\u201d<\/p>\n McShay\u2019s point of contention with Jacas\u2019 game concerns the former Illinois standout not being \u201cthe most sudden pass rusher and he exhibits some clear redirect tightness that leaves too many sacks\/tackles on the field.\u201d<\/p>\n That hardly fits with Wolf\u2019s stated desire for the Patriots \u201cto get faster\u201d rushing the passer. Perhaps he and the scouting department will put more onus on their earlier visit with Lawrence.<\/p>\n The latter was compared with Minnesota Vikings<\/a> edge Jonathan Greenard<\/a> by ESPN\u2019s Matt Miller<\/a>. He noted how \u201cLawrence\u2019s burst and outside ability show up throughout the evaluation of him. In watching him jump the snap, it\u2019s easy to see him making plays in the pros when lined up in space.\u201d<\/p>\n Maybe the Patriots would be best served not to gamble on potential and simply trade for Greenard<\/a>. He wants out of Minnesota, and the Vikings might even accept less than a first-round pick<\/a> in exchange.<\/p>\n Either way, Wolf and the Pats are getting proactive about restocking a pass-rush room depleted by losing K\u2019Lavon Chaisson<\/a> in 2026 NFL free agency. The rebuild is focused on changing how the Patriots get to quarterbacks.<\/p>\n Patriots Chasing Elusive Speed Up Front<\/p>\n Speed is in short supply up front, where New England\u2019s defensive line is defined more by bulk on the inside. Formidable defensive tackles Milton Williams<\/a> and Christian Barmore<\/a> lead the pass rush, with veteran Harold Landry III<\/a> benefitting from less attention on the outside.<\/p>\n What\u2019s missing is a true speed-based rusher off the edge. It\u2019s why edge-rusher is becoming a popular choice for the Patriots<\/a> in mock drafts.<\/p>\n 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\u2019t the only way to apply pressure. A power rusher able to collapse the edge can also move a quarterback off his spot.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tJames Dudko<\/a> covers the New York Giants, Washington Commanders, New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens for Heavy.com. He has covered the NFL and world soccer since 2011, with bylines at FanSided, Prime Time Sports Talk and Bleacher Report before joining Heavy in 2021. More about James Dudko<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tMore Heavy on Patriots\n\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\tLoading more stories\n\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t