The New England Patriots have already gotten more out of their pass rush than plenty of people expected. Even after losing K'Lavon Chaisson in free agency and dealing with Harold Landry II being set to miss some time with an injury, the group has held together. Gabe Jacas missing most of the offseason didn’t make life any easier, but the rookie has still flashed in a limited role.
That’s the good news. The other side of the story is that the unit is still thin, and one more injury could put the whole thing in a bad spot. That’s why Khalil Mack, with the Los Angeles Chargers starting 0-4, looks like a name the Patriots should be checking on.
The appeal starts with what Mack still brings on the field. He’s 35, but he remains a highly productive edge defender with a quick first step that makes him tough to handle.
Through this season, he has three sacks, 14 total pressures, and 7 run stops in 182 total snaps. He’s still affecting games against the run, and he remains better in coverage than the typical edge rusher.
A trade also fits better than chasing a blockbuster move. Going after Maxx Crosby feels far less realistic, while head coach Mike Vrabel has already ruled out making big moves. Mack would cost the Patriots roughly $6 million, which lands much closer to the kind of deal they’d actually consider.
There’s also a bigger reason this makes sense for New England: Jacas.
Mack and Jacas are similar in the ways that matter most. The Illinois product has the same kind of build and style, with speed and power that show up in the run game and on bull rushes. Their measurements are nearly identical, and Jacas has the kind of raw traits that make him worth developing.
That’s where Mack could be especially valuable. He could help Jacas become more reliable in coverage, sharpen his rush plan, and add counters instead of leaning so heavily on strength and brute force. For a young player with real upside, that kind of guidance could matter a lot.
The Patriots have a special but raw talent in Jacas. Bringing in Mack would not only deepen the defense right now, but also give Jacas the kind of mentor who could help turn promise into something much more dangerous.
In Other News...
Patriots May Be Eyeing A Veteran Fix For Their Run Game
The Patriots are still looking for help in the backfield, and that search brought veteran free-agent running back Jamaal Williams to Foxborough for a workout. New England evaluated Williams along with other free agents as it continues to sort through possible depth options for an offense that could use more stability behind its top runners.
Williams brings eight NFL seasons of experience and a resume that includes a strong 2022 campaign with the Detroit Lions, which makes him the kind of established option teams often check on when they want insurance at running back. The Patriots have not signed him yet, but they have kept roster spots open for exactly this kind of addition, leaving the door open as they weigh whether a veteran presence fits their plans. [Read more 🡒]
Patriots Are Getting Early Proof They Made The Right WR Call
The Patriots spent the offseason reshaping their wide receiver room, bringing in A.J. Brown in a trade and signing Romeo Doubs while moving on from Stefon Diggs and dealing Kayshon Boutte. It was the kind of aggressive reset that can look smart on paper and awkward on the field early, especially after Brown landed on injured reserve and Doubs had a rough start before finding his footing over the last few games.
Romeo Doubs recent improvement has given New England at least a little early validation for how it handled the position, even if the full picture is still developing. Across the league, former Patriots target Michael Pittman Jr. has not exactly stormed out of the gate after being traded to the Steelers, with his production lagging behind the expectations that came with his extension, and that contrast only sharpens how much these receiver decisions matter for a team trying to get the room right. [Read more 🡒]
Former Patriots Draft Pick Just Got Another NFL Opportunity
The Falcons backfield shuffle has opened another NFL door for Jam Miller, the former Patriots seventh-round pick who is getting a fresh opportunity in Atlanta. Miller arrives after Atlanta placed undrafted rookie Cash Jones on waivers and moved quickly to fill the spot, a reminder of how fluid the bottom of an NFL roster can be as teams try to balance depth, special teams value and practice-squad flexibility.
Jones and Tyler Goodson were both taken off the active roster and re-signed to the practice squad, though Goodson later landed with the Cowboys. Atlanta now carries three running backs on its active roster, and Miller enters a crowded but movable situation with a chance to show he can stick where other backups have already been cycled through. [Read more 🡒]