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2026 NFL Draft grades roundup: Patriots' Day 2 picks get high marks
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- 2026 NFL Draft grades roundup: Patriots' Day 2 picks get high marks
2026 NFL Draft grades roundup: Patriots' Day 2 picks get high marks originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
After getting protection for quarterback Drake Maye in Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft, the New England Patriots addressed two more areas of need on Day 2.
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In the second round, the Patriots traded the No. 63 pick, the No. 131 pick (fourth round) and the No. 202 pick (sixth round) to the Los Angeles Chargers for the No. 55 pick. They used that selection on Illinois edge rusher Gabe Jacas .
New England shifted its attention back to the offense in Round 3, taking Notre Dame tight end Eli Raridon with the 95th overall pick.
Other than the offensive line, edge and tight end were arguably the top two positions that needed upgrading heading into this year's draft. But what do the experts think of the Patriots' Day 2 picks?
Here's a roundup of grades:
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Phil Perry, NBC Sports Boston
"With a glaring need at their edge-defender spot, the Patriots got one of the best fits for their program at the end of the second round. The 6-foot-3, 260-pound Jacas is a violent pass-rusher who will play to the echo of the whistle. He's not the most bendy player in this draft, but he has good burst off the line (1.59-second 10-yard split) and enough size to project as a three-down option.
"The Patriots receive some extra credit here for getting aggressive to get their guy, sending the Chargers a fourth and a sixth-rounder to go from No. 63 to No. 55."
Eli Raridon: B+
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"In a loaded tight end class, the Patriots came away with one of the few who profiles as a well-rounded "Y" who could be used to block on the line of scrimmage as well as impact games as a pass-catcher. At 6-foot-6, 245 pounds, he tested as a high-end athlete at this year's combine (81st percentile 40 time, 81st percentile vertical, 88th percentile broad jump), and those traits showed up at Notre Dame where he averaged the fourth-most yards per catch (15.1) among Power 4 tight ends.
"While he's a willing blocker, he could use some refinement there, and his injury history (tore his right ACL twice in 10 months four years ago) may have helped lead to a bit of a slide down the board for him Friday. But in Josh McDaniels' offense, it's easy to envision Raridon complementing Hunter Henry as a versatile seam-stretcher with an impressive catch radius."
Mike Renner, CBS Sports
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"Jacas is a well-rounded pass-rusher who has added more tools to his toolbox every season. He's a former wrestler and you see that with the twitch in his hands. That's a recipe for a productive edge-rusher in the NFL."
"The tight end run continues with Raridon. He's a rock-solid 245 pounds who can be an impact blocker at that size. He's got speed to get vertical, but struggles to create separation on his own consistently."
Charles McDonald, Yahoo Sports
Gabe Jacas : B
"The Patriots needed juice and upside at defensive end, and they got it here with Jacas. At this point in the draft, Jacas is one of the last edge defenders on the board with a chance to develop into an impact player in the NFL."
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Eli Raridon: B+
"Raridon can dominate in the run game as a blocker with his big frame (6-7, 252), and he can also stretch the field as a receiver. Health has been a question in the past, but if he can stay on the field, he'll play a key role for Drake Maye and that offense."
Nick Baumgardner, The Athletic
Gabe Jacas: A-
"The Patriots traded up to grab Jacas, who was the top pass rusher remaining. New England runs a 3-4, which might be an odd fit for Jacas, but he'll adapt. He developed into one of the Big Ten's top pass rushers (11 sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss last year)."
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Eli Raridon: B+
"The Patriots were looking for a solid combination piece, and they found one in Raridon (6-6, 245). Last year, the former Notre Dame tight end caught 32 passes for 482 yards (15.1 yards per reception). He has very good speed and is an improving blocker."
Chad Reuter, NFL.com
"New England traded fourth- and sixth-round picks (Nos. 131 and 202, respectively) to the Chargers to move up eight spots for Jacas, which was a bit more than I would've parted with. However, the Pats desperately needed to upgrade their pass rush, so it makes sense that they'd feel forced to climb the board rather than let the draft come to them."
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"Raridon, part of Day 2's run on tight ends, offers the Pats a pass catcher and move blocker who should compete for the TE2 job in Year 1.
Brent Sobleski, Bleacher Report
"K'Lavon Chaisson's departure in free agency left a void in the New England Patriots' front seven opposite Harold Landry III.
"Illinois' Gabe Jacas is an ideal complementary bookend opposite Landry.
"Put a little respect on Jacas' name, especially if you know how to pronounce it properly (ACK-us). He was never considered among the elite edge prospects in this year's class despite being a Freshman All-American in 2022, a third-team All-American in '24 and a first-team All-Big Ten selection this past year. He produced the second-most pressures among Big Ten defenders since 2022, according to Pro Football Focus . His sack total increased in each of the last three years, culminating with a career-high 11 last season.
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"The 21-year-old prospect may not be the smoothest or most explosive option. But he knows how to get into the backfield and disrupt opposing passing games, which showed up on a regular basis."
"Eli Raridon is a better tight end than multiple classmates who were drafted ahead of him. The New England Patriots aren't going to complain, because they needed infusions of talent and athleticism at the position.
"Hunter Henry turns 32 later this year. Raridon can be TE2 for now, then replace Henry.
"Raridon may have been more highly regarded as one of the class's most complete tight ends had he not dealt with an ACL injury that affected his first two seasons with the Fighting Irish, thus stunting his overall development.
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"During the last two campaigns, the 6'6", 245-pound prospect showed marked improvement. In 12 games this past year, he set career-highs with 32 receptions for 482 yards. He was mostly used as an in-line option, which creates an opportunity to contribute as a Y-tight end, while developing as a target in the passing game.
