Los Angeles Chargers Top Draft Targets: Illinois Edge Rusher Gabe Jacas

The Los Angeles Chargers are in the market for an edge rusher. Head coach Jim Harbaugh clearly said as much during his press conference at the annual owners meeting recently in Phoenix, Arizona.

The Chargers lost edge rusher Odafe Oweh to the Washington Commanders in free agency after trading for him mid-season last year. Oweh's production turnaround with the Chargers helped him land a four-year $100 million contract from Washington.

The Chargers defense will commonly deploy a three-edge rusher look that is known as a NASCAR package in known passing situations. The Chargers were able to create ferocious pressure with Khalil Mack, Tuli Tuipulotu and the addition of Odafe Oweh. Adding another edge rusher to maximize the NASCAR package and take a developmental role to potentially replace future Hall of Famer Khalil Mack should be at the top of the Chargers' list of priorities.

When should Los Angeles add an edge rusher in the draft?

The 2026 edge rusher class is loaded with every type of edge rusher from big powerful defensive types, to smaller and speedy designated pass rushers. The depth of the class will prove valuable for the Chargers but nevertheless, they need to take an edge rusher in the first two rounds to find a prospect capable of making a true impact in year one.

The data suggests that edge rusher is one of the positions reliant on top-tier talent. Top-tier talent is found in the top two rounds and often isolated to the first. There are examples, though very few, of successful edge rushers that have been drafted on day three or even undrafted.

Illinois edge rusher Gabe Jacas

American edge rusher Gabe Jacas of Illinois lines up during American Senior Bowl practice — Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images

The Chargers have a type when it comes to edge rushers. They require bigger and stronger edge rushers to manage deploying light boxes against the run. For the Chargers, edge rushers are not just pass rushers; they need to be well-rounded.

Illinois egde rusher Gabe Jacas, pronounced "Ackas", has been on my radar for two draft cycles now. He reportedly was considering entering the 2025 draft but returned to Illinois for his senior season with the goal of improving his draft stock. Check out my full profile on Jacas here.

Jacas is a powerful and productive edge rusher. He has been in the Illinois starting lineup since he was a freshman. He finished 2025 with 12 sacks and 41 pressures and leaves Illinois with 28 sacks on his career and 142 pressures to go along with six forced fumbles.

Jacas was a state champion wrestler in high school in the state of Florida and it shows with his body control and power. He can reduce inside and go head-to-head with offensive linemen.

I am very interested to see if Illinois Edge Gabe Jacas declares for the draft. He is currently waiting for draft grades to make a decision.
He's young and a solid pass rusher. But his run defense and his power/strength stands out. pic.twitter.com/fshiDkTUTa
— Thomas Martinez (@BoltsDraftTalk) December 12, 2024

Jacas will need to develop more moves and counters in the NFL as a pass rusher. He has solid power-based pass-rushing moves. He also is a very god run defender and displays elite processing and play recognition paired with discipline to hold the edge.

Illinois Edge rusher Gabe Jacas is well rounded. He is a good run defender with power. Watch him track this play, he's responsible for the QB if he keeps it. As soon as it's handed off, he triggers and takes down the RB. https://t.co/cMDJhnaZq8 pic.twitter.com/mLfsaJz39G
— Thomas Martinez (@BoltsDraftTalk) January 25, 2026

I have been high on Gabe Jacas since early in the draft process going back to 2024, but taking Jacas in the first round at pick 22 may be a bit rich for Jacas but he will likely not make it to the Chargers second round selection as he is widely now considered a top-50 prospect and edge rushers tend to go early. If the Chargers accepted an offer to trade back, Jacas would likely be in heavy consideration.

In this draft class, there are so few blue-chip top prospects that the general consensus is that the gap between prospects ranked in the early teens and the rest of the top 60 is not dramatic. Team's may have some surprises on how their boards are stacked.

Jacas fits the mold for a Chargers edge rusher and he is ready for the NFL with his strength and power. Devloping alongside Khalil Mack and Tuli Tuipulotu would be a great match for Jacas.