The New England Patriots have spent August waiting to see how quickly Gabe Jacas could make up for a delayed start to his first NFL training camp.
Robert Spillane appears to have already seen enough to make a sizable prediction.
Speaking on “The Greg Hill Show,” Spillane praised the second-round rookie’s approach and offered a forecast that should catch the attention of Patriots fans.
“He’s a hungry young man that is going to be DOMINANT in this league,” Spillane said during WEEI’s “The Greg Hill Show” (via ConquerSports).
“He’s a hungry young man that is going to be DOMINANT in this league.”
It was a sweeping endorsement from one of the leaders of New England’s defense.
Spillane was voted a captain in his first season with the Patriots in 2025 and led the team with 97 tackles in 13 regular-season games. He also started all four playoff games during the team’s run to Super Bowl LX.
Jacas has only been on the practice field for a few weeks, yet the early signs are beginning to support Spillane’s optimism.
Spillane Sees Jacas Making Up Ground Quickly
GettySAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 02: Robert Spillane #14 of the New England Patriots speaks to the media during Super Bowl LX Opening Night at San Jose McEnery Convention Center on February 02, 2026 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Jacas’ camp began unusually.
The rookie signed his contract July 26 and did not take part in his first official practice until Aug. 1 after opening camp on the non-football injury list.
The missed time could have left Jacas playing catch-up deep into August. Instead, his role has steadily expanded.
Patriots.com noted earlier this month that Jacas’ speed-to-power ability had already started to show in practice.
He later received his first snaps with the starting defense during an Aug. 15 session, recording a run stop and creating pressure.
The next test came against the Philadelphia Eagles, whose offensive line provided New England with one of its toughest evaluations of camp.
Patriots.com reported that Jacas split his one-on-one reps during the first joint practice and won one cleanly with a bull rush. The Philadelphia Inquirer then credited him with a tackle for loss on Saquon Barkley during Thursday’s session.
There are still details to sharpen.
New England’s film review of the preseason opener against the Indianapolis Colts pointed to play-recognition mistakes and some overaggression from Jacas. But the same review also highlighted the power, movement skills and edge-setting ability that made him an intriguing prospect.
Patriots Could Use Jacas ASAP
GettyCHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS – AUGUST 29: Gabe Jacas #17 of the Illinois Fighting Illini in action against the Western Illinois Leathernecks during the first half at Memorial Stadium on August 29, 2025 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
New England clearly believed Jacas was worth pursuing before he ever arrived at camp.
The Patriots moved up eight spots in the second round of the 2026 NFL draft, sending picks No. 63, 131 and 202 to the Chargers for No. 55.
Executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf later said Jacas was the highest-rated player remaining on the team’s board and called him a player New England “coveted.”
Jacas gave the Patriots plenty of college production to justify that confidence. The 6-foot-4, 261-pound edge defender finished four seasons at Illinois with 183 tackles, 27 sacks and seven forced fumbles. He posted 11 sacks in 12 games as a senior.
The pressing thought is how large his role can become as a rookie.
Veteran Harold Landry remains in the return-to-play process, and coach Mike Vrabel said Wednesday that Landry would miss Saturday’s preseason game.
Jacas has continued to earn opportunities while New England sorts through its edge rotation.
Now one of the Patriots’ most main defensive voices is putting an even bigger expectation on what comes next.
For a rookie who has barely had three weeks of NFL practices, he’s got a notable endorsement — one that will add hype heading into the final stretch before Week 1.
Patriots Captain Sends Eye-Opening Message on Rookie Gabe Jacas