Detroit Lions NFL draft medical preview: Gabe Jacas, Illinois EDGE

· Yahoo Sports

Gabe Jacas represents a defensive prospect characterized by a background in wrestling and a consistent history of collegiate production. For the Lions, his profile as a high-motor edge rusher aligns with the team's emphasis on functional strength and technical hand-fighting.

Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 275 pounds, Jacas provides a sturdy frame capable of setting the edge or rushing the passer from multiple alignments. His 27 career sacks—the second-most in Illinois history—demonstrate a high floor for a team looking to bolster its pass-rushing depth opposite Aidan Hutchinson.

Visit asg-reflektory.pl for more information.

For the analysis of Jacas along with other 2026 draft prospects: Visit my NFL draft page at JimmyLiaoMD.com

Below is my excerpt on Jacas:

(Ages in parentheses are at start of 2026 season and are factored into the concern level. Injury info and ages based on available public information are unverified and subject to update. Games played data courtesy of sports-reference.com.)

Projected round 2-3.

Concern level 0/10

Jacas finished with 35.5 TFL and 27 sacks in his 4 year career. He has a perfect record of reliability except for his bowl game opt-out.

His right hand injury as a child is a distant issue and isn’t a concern after proving himself for 4 years in college. There is no record of any other injury which means he is one of the cleanest prospects in the draft.

If he is available in the 2nd round, he could be an ideal, low-risk, premium-position selection for the Lions.

Collegiate Career Statistics

Jacas appeared in 50 games for the Illini, maintaining a consistent presence in the lineup throughout his four-year career.

SeasonGamesTotal TacklesTackles for Loss (TFL)SacksForced Fumbles2025 (Sr.)124313.511.032024 (Jr.)137413.08.032023 (So.)12315.04.012022 (Fr.)13354.04.00Total5018335.527.0

For more Lions coverage, follow us on X, @TheLionsWire, and give our Facebook page a like. Follow Jimmy on X, @JimmyLiaoMD

This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Detroit Lions NFL draft medical preview: Gabe Jacas, Illinois EDGE

Read full story at source