The final rookies of the 2026 NFL Draft class have signed their first professional contracts.
Outside linebacker Gabe Jacas came off the board first, going to the New England Patriots in the second round. The New York Giants later picked offensive lineman J.C. Davis in the sixth round, followed by the Denver Broncos taking safety Miles Scott in the seventh. Now, with NFL training camps beginning, all three are officially under contract.
Jacas became the final former Illini to sign his deal on Saturday morning. According to FOX Sports’ Jordan Schultz, the Patriots signed Jacas to a four-year contract worth $8.6 million.
New England officially began training camp on Saturday, so Jacas got his deal inked just in time. The No. 55 overall pick was the last remaining unsigned second-rounder and one of the last remaining unsigned draftees, regardless of round. Quarterbacks Fernando Mendoza (Las Vegas Raiders), Ty Simpson (Los Angeles Rams) and Drew Allar (Pittsburgh Steelers) each signed their deals in recent days to put all 257 draft picks under contract.
Jacas is a 6-foot-3, 260-pound defender who wreaked havoc on Big Ten opponents while at Illinois. He played in 50 games over four seasons while totaling 183 total tackles, 97 solo tackles, 35.5 tackles-for-loss and seven forced fumbles. Jacas’ 27 career sacks rank sixth all-time in Big Ten history (since 2005).
Nov 16, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini linebackerGabeJacas(17) sacks Michigan State Spartans quarterback Aidan Chiles (2) during the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images
As a junior, Jacas was named a Third Team All-American and a member of the All-Big Ten Third Team for logging 13 tackles-for-loss and eight sacks. He improved his numbers even more in 2025 with 13.5 tackles-for-loss and 11 sacks, despite playing one less game. Jacas earned First Team All-Big Ten honors as a senior before declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft.
New England traded up to select Jacas, sending the Nos. 63, 131 and 202 overall picks to the Los Angeles Chargers for the rights to draft Jacas with the No. 55 overall pick. Jacas is the highest-drafted former Illini since defensive tackle Jer’Zhan “Johnny” Newton went to the Washington Commanders with the No. 36 overall pick in 2024.
Davis agreed to his rookie deal with the Giants on May 8, setting him up to receive $4.7 million over the next four years. Just $288,000 of that was guaranteed at signing. Meanwhile, the Broncos signed Scott to a four-year, $4.5 million contract on May 7, with only $123,000 of that guaranteed.
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