CHICAGO, Ill., — It's not a secret the Chicago Bears need some help at pass rush, opting to add on the interior of their defensive line in free agency. With the NFL draft in just three weeks, Chicago is likely looking there in terms of some help.
One player who could be a solution happens to be in the state of Illinois in the form of Fighting Illini edge rusher Gabe Jacas.
Going into this draft cycle, Jacas had a day two grade on him with most analysts projecting he would go in the second or third round. But that might be changing here pretty quickly in April.
Among the players who are seeing their stock rise the most is Jacas and that's thanks to an impressive workout he had with teams on Thursday. Jacas worked out for NFL teams privately and from the sounds of it, he really improved his stock. Following the workout, The Athletic's Dane Brugler tweeted that Jacas ran a 4.69 40-yard dash with a 1.59 10-yard split, anything at 1.5 is considered top-level burst for that position. It also fits what Dennis Allen wants in terms of an edge rusher profile.
That's impressive considering he's recovering from a hamstring injury he suffered that caused him to miss his pro day back in March.
Former ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay had praise for Jacas:
Illinois EDGE Gabe Jacas is my GUY in this year’s class. He’s in my top-32 even though I recognize it’s high. Was just told he ran a sub-1.60 at his private workout today (he was still recovering from hamstring strain when Illini had pro day).
1.60 or faster in the 10-split for…
— Todd McShay (@McShay13) April 2, 2026
He's drawn comparisons to Matthew Judon who is someone Ryan Poles attempted to land in Chicago once before.
Being a prospect that is hovering around the top 50, he might be out of Chicago's range. At No. 25 overall, it would feel like a reach if the Bears went that option. They pick at No. 57 and No. 60 overall on day two. But Jacas, seeing his stock rise, may put him out of the reach for the Bears with one of those two picks.
If he's there, it feels like a pick the Bears would be very happy making at No. 57 overall.
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