3-Point Stance: The Patriots need to keep adding to their edge

New York Giants celebrates during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles

Two of the england/">New England Patriots‘ top edge rushers, rookie Gabe Jacas and veteran Harold Landry, are question marks with mandatory minicamp set to take place Tuesday through Thursday. In the two OTA practices open to the media on June 2 and May 27, neither was among the participants.

This comes after the Patriots opted to improve at that position group this offseason, signing veteran Dre’Mont Jones in free agency and selecting Jacas in the second round of the NFL Draft.

New England ranked in the top 10 in the league in pressure rate in 2025, but its top sack producers, Landry and K’Lavon Chaisson, only combined for 16 sacks, and a team total of 35 — tying for 22nd in the league. Evidently, the team felt it could upgrade and let Chaisson walk in free agency.

On May 29, appearing on NFL Live, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler listed the Patriots as a potential “sleeper” trade candidate for the New York Giants’ former fifth overall selection in 2022, Kayvon Thibodeaux. New England may also have some ammunition in return, with wide receiver Kayshon Boutte showing apparent interest in a trade out of Foxboro.

With uncertainty currently looming over a group that needed more production, another addition makes sense.

There’s currently no clarification as to why Jacas has yet to practice with the team, but a pre-draft hamstring injury forced Jacas to host a private workout session on April 2 after missing the NFL Combine and Illinois’ pro day.

Patriots ESPN reporter Mike Reiss recently shared on the Patriots Real Time Podcast that the rookie could actually return to the field soon.

“I would be surprised if it was the [rookie] contract,” Reiss said. “I was told by someone that I feel like would have the information, that [Jacas] should be back soon. So to me, I don’t sense that this is any major alarm.”

Spring practices are crucial for rookies to get acclimated to the NFL physically, mentally and schematically. It’ll be important to see when Jacas returns and how quickly he gets up to speed on the practice field.

If Jacas misses mandatory minicamp next week, and he’s healthy enough to participate for the start of training camp, that means he’ll be looking at a return in mid-to-late July, when the rookies report to Foxboro.

Jacas is a rookie who’s projected to make a significant impact for New England in 2026 and likely has the most immediate expectations out of the draft class. The Patriots are already relying on a group still taking shape, which makes a healthy and timely return increasingly important.

As for Landry, he also has yet to participate in spring practices this offseason after undergoing surgery on his injured knee.

The 2025 defensive captain suffered the injury during Week Six against the New Orleans Saints last season and reaggravated it in Week 12 away in Cincinnati. At the end of the year, Landry was ruled out for the final two regular-season games and for the AFC Championship, and then proceeded to only play 14 snaps in the Super Bowl.

He had an impressive start to last season, recording 3.5 sacks and 22 pressures in the first five games; however, the injury stood in his path of maintaining that production the rest of the season. After the setback, Landry only totaled five more sacks but recorded consecutive takedowns in the final four regular-season games he participated in, showcasing some recovery.

New England’s head coach, Mike Vrabel, spoke about the veteran’s status back in early April, unable to offer a potential return date.

“Harold continues to rehab,” Vrabel said. “I’m just disappointed, obviously, for him and for us because I’ve known Harold for quite a while. A player I became really close with. We drafted him in Tennessee. He did a great job for us there. It’s unfortunate. I think that anybody that watched the tape could see Harold before hurting his knee and then after.”

“Another player that cares deeply about the team, and his performance, and the impact that he makes. And so, I was disappointed for him, but he, like everything else, works his tail off right now to get back. I don’t really know where it’s at right now because he’s going through the rehab process.”

As much of a defensive staple as Landry can be, he is entering his age-30 season and coming off an injury that hampered his production. Until he takes the field again, we have yet to see if he can come back at full strength.

Behind Landry, Jacas and Jones, the depth at the position group is filled with question marks. The batch is headlined by Elijah Ponder, who showed intriguing flashes last season and totaled four sacks on 24.5% of the team’s defensive snaps. Jesse Lekuta, who signed with the Patriots this offseason, recorded just three sacks with the Arizona Cardinals in 2025.

Beyond them are 2025 fifth-round selection Bradyn Swinson, who spent most of the season on the practice squad; 2026 sixth-round pick Quintayvious Hutchins; and undrafted free agent Xavier Holmes.

Is this cast capable of keeping a unit looking to improve stable?

Developmental upside could be a theme with this group as the offseason progresses, but there’s no established figure within that depth behind New England’s top edge defenders.

And that’s what makes a possible Thibodeaux deal intriguing.

It’s highly unlikely that the Patriots find another K’Lavon Chaisson this deep into the offseason, but the 25-year-old does offer unique upside remaining veteran free agents don’t.

Still, Thibodeaux only has 23 career sacks in four seasons as a highly touted draft pick, with those numbers tailing off after his 11.5-sack 2023 season. However, you’re not asking for a primary pass rusher; you’re asking for needed insurance to pair with current depth.

Additionally, some free agent options include former AFC East foes with the Buffalo Bills, Matt Milano (slated more as a linebacker) and Joey Bosa, former Giant Bobby Okereke, Jadeveon Clowney and former Patriot Kyle Van Noy.

Otherwise, settling could leave New England vulnerable if injuries linger or stack up.