With the Senior Bowl officially in the books, NFL Draft season is in full swing - and the Philadelphia Eagles are already deep in the evaluation process. As usual, all eyes are on Howie Roseman and his front office, who’ve made a habit of building through the trenches. That philosophy isn’t changing anytime soon.
The Eagles had a strong presence in Mobile, Ala., last week, where over 100 of the top prospects in the 2026 draft class showcased their skills in front of NFL coaches, scouts, and executives. And while the team has decisions to make - including whether or not to re-sign edge rusher Jaelan Phillips, who they traded for at the deadline - it’s clear that adding more juice off the edge will be a priority come April.
Enter Illinois’ Gabe Jacas.
Jacas was one of the standout performers during Senior Bowl week, and he fits the mold of what the Eagles tend to value: explosive, versatile defensive linemen who can disrupt the pocket in a variety of ways. Listed at 6-foot-3 and weighing in at 260 pounds in Mobile (down from his 275-pound playing weight at Illinois), Jacas looked lean, quick, and in control. And he backed it up with a strong week of practice reps that turned heads.
The Eagles were among the teams Jacas spoke with in Mobile - not surprising, given how many team meetings take place during the week - but it’s hard to imagine their interest didn’t grow after watching him dominate one-on-one drills. Whether lining up in a traditional edge role or kicked inside to a 4i technique, Jacas showed he could win with both power and speed.
“I’m really good with my hands,” Jacas said. “I’m able to go speed to power all the time off the edge.
Win with power. Win with speed.
I can do both.”
That’s not just talk - the tape and the numbers back it up. Over the past two seasons at Illinois, Jacas racked up 83 quarterback pressures, 19 sacks, and six forced fumbles. He closed out his college career on a tear, logging 6.5 sacks in the final four games of the regular season and finishing 2025 as the Big Ten’s sack leader with 11.
What makes Jacas especially intriguing is his scheme versatility. He’s comfortable playing in both 3-4 and 4-3 fronts, and he’s shown the ability to line up across multiple spots on the defensive line. That kind of flexibility is gold for a team like the Eagles, who love to rotate their defensive linemen and create mismatches up front.
Now, this year’s edge class is deep - really deep. You’ve got top-tier talents like Rueben Bain (Miami) and David Bailey (Texas Tech) likely going in the top 10.
Then there’s a strong second wave that includes names like Zion Young (Missouri), Keldric Faulk (Auburn), Cashius Howell (Texas A&M), T.J. Parker (Clemson), and Akheem Mesidor (Miami).
Before the Senior Bowl, Jacas wasn’t in that second tier. He wasn’t even listed among ESPN’s top eight edge rushers by analysts like Mel Kiper Jr., Jordan Reid, Matt Miller, or Steve Muench.
But after what he put on display in Mobile, he’s starting to climb. PFF’s Trevor Sikkema even suggested Jacas could sneak into the late first-round conversation.
That’s where things get interesting for the Eagles, who hold the No. 23 overall pick in the first round, No. 54 in the second, and two third-round selections at Nos. 68 and 98. Depending on how the board falls - and what happens with Phillips in free agency - Jacas could be in play anywhere from the back end of the first round to a potential Day 2 steal.
One thing’s for sure: the Eagles need more firepower on the edge, and Gabe Jacas looks like a player who can bring it. He’s got the production, the motor, and the tools to make an impact at the next level. And after his showing at the Senior Bowl, he’s firmly on Philly’s radar.