The Patriots are kicking the tires on Missouri linebacker Khalil Jacobs, according to pre-draft contact tracking. This isn't a shot in the dark—it's a deliberate signal that New England is serious about addressing linebacker depth heading into the 2026 draft class.
Let's be real: the current linebacker room has bodies, but it lacks a clear alpha. You've got veterans like Harold Landry III and Chad Muma anchoring things, solid complementary pieces in Jesse Luketa and Robert Spillane, and a deep bench that includes everyone from K'Lavon Chaisson to Anfernee Jennings. That's not a weakness—it's also not a strength. Vrabel and Wolf clearly see an opportunity to inject some young talent into the mix, and Jacobs fits that profile.
The Mizzou linebacker showed up in Jacksonville for the Gator Bowl, which means scouts and coaches got a live look at his film in December. Whether he flashed against Virginia or had an anonymous night, the Patriots felt compelled to follow up. That's the pre-draft process working exactly as intended. New England has had contact with over 130 prospects so far, which is thorough work—but they're apparently willing to dig deeper on specific guys like Jacobs.
The question is where he fits schematically. Vrabel's defense demands linebackers who can play sideline to sideline and aren't a liability in coverage. If Jacobs is a thumper who can diagnose run plays and hold up in space, he could be a day-two target. If he's a pure downhill guy who gets lost in the passing game, he stays on the board longer.
This is smart groundwork, though. The Patriots aren't panicking—they're methodically building their board. Jacobs might end up being a fourth-rounder, a sixth-rounder, or not drafted by New England at all. What matters is that Wolf's staff is doing their homework on every possible avenue to upgrade. That's how you build depth. That's how you stay competitive.