COLUMBIA, MO - AUGUST 28: Missouri Tigers linebacker Khalil Jacobs (5) on the sidelines during a college football game between the Central Arkansas Bears and Missouri Tigers on August 28, 2025 at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, MO. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images The New England Patriots have taken an up-close look at over 130 draft prospects already, with several of them touching base with the team on more than one occasion. And then, there is Khalil Jacobs, who on Thursday had his third meeting with the organization. After previously speaking with the Patriots at his pro day and virtually, he visited Gillette Stadium . Given the level of interest, let’s find out what the fuzz is all about. Hard facts Name: Khalil Jacobs Position: Off-ball linebacker School: Missouri (Sr.) Opening day age: 22 (12/1/2003) Measurements : 6’1”, 227 lbs, 32 1/4” arm length, 10 1/4” hand size, 4.77s 40-yard dash, 7.35s 33-cone drill, 4.54s short shuttle, 40” vertical jump, 11’1” broad jump, 27 bench press reps, 6.44 Relative Athletic Score Experience Colleges: South Alabama (2022-23), Missouri (2024-25) Career statistics : 43 games (11 starts) | 984 defensive snaps, 371 special teams snaps | 121 tackles, 15 missed tackles (11.0%), 16 TFLs, 3 FFs | 33 QB pressures (8 sacks, 9 hits, 16 hurries) | 47 targets, 38 catches surrendered (80.9%), 290 yards, 1 INT, 3 PBUs | 4 special teams tackles, 3 missed special teams tackles (42.9%) | 3 penalties (incl. 0 declined/offsetting) Accolades: N/A A two-way player in high school, who played both wide receiver and linebacker, Jacobs was rated as a three-star recruit coming out of Niceville, FL. Even though he had shown some potential, he only received a single FBS offer and therefore spent his first two collegiate seasons at South Alabama. After playing 24 games with three starts as a Jaguar — notching 60 tackles, three sacks, three forced fumbles and an interception — he entered the transfer portal in 2024. Jacobs ended up at Missouri, where he started eight of 19 games over the next two years. He added 61 tackles and five sacks to his tally. He missed the final seven games of 2024 after a pectoral tear but returned in 2025 as a team captain. Draft profile Projected round: 7-FA | Consensus big board : N/A | Patriots meeting : Pro Day + Virtual meeting + 30 visit Strengths: Jacobs is an explosive player with the appropriate play strength to succeed at the next level. He has shown some good instincts from his spot at the second level as well as the ability to sniff out plays and pull the trigger decisively when making a read. In general, he plays with a high motor both when coming downhill against the run or when in pursuit. He also is a sound tackler, who is capable of delivering big hits but also does not sacrifice his technique for added physicality. Jacobs additionally comes with plenty of special teams experienced, and was well-respected as a team leader at Missouri. Khalil Jacobs, LB – Missouri 6’1 and 228 lbs 2025 47 tackles 5 TFL 10 QB Pressures 1 QB hit Top 30 visit with #Jets March 20 Pro Day with Visits w/ #Patriots #Packers #49ers #Colts #Cardinals #Giants per @AaronWilson_NFL pic.twitter.com/jSvETYkjJd — Dave Heilman NFL (@DynastyDorks) March 14, 2026 Weaknesses: Jacobs is undersized by traditional linebacker standards, with his lack of bulk and length both limiting his success. As a pass rusher, he is a hit-or-miss player who can make the play when finding a gap but also be entirely neutralized when blockers get their hands on him. He also lacks the second gear to consistently be trusted downfield in 1-on-1 coverage, and remains a work in progress as far as the consistency of his reads is concerned. He also never produced at a high level in college, in part because he failed to earn a regular starting role at both of his stops. Patriots preview What would be his role? Built like a linebacker/safety hybrid, Jacobs would project as the Patriots’ replacement for recently-traded Marte Mapu. While the latter is a superior athlete, he filled a role similar to the one the Missouri product would play in New England: provide rotational depth on the defensive side of the ball while simultaneously working as a core-four special teamer. He might even throw his hat in the ring as the personal punt protector, even though he did not play the role in college. Does he have positional versatility? Jacobs was used in a rather straight-forward fashion at Missouri, playing 84% of his snaps as a box linebacker. He did align in the middle as well on both the strong side and the weak side but that was virtually the extent of his defensive versatility. In the kicking game, meanwhile, he saw action on five units: he has experience on the four core units — kickoff and punt return, kickoff and punt coverage — and also participated in the field goal and extra point blocking squads. What is his growth potential? Jacobs might have to add some bulk to his frame in order to maximize his chances of surviving in the NFL. If he can do that and keeps working on his anticipation and play recognition, he should be able to become a serviceable backup linebacker. His quickest path to success and roster security, however, projects to be on special teams. He has the potential to become a core player in the game’s third phase. Why the Patriots? New England needs linebacker depth after Jack Gibbens, Jahlani Tavai and Marte Mapu all departed during the offseason, and Jacobs provides that. He also offers help on special teams, where all three of them played valuable roles as well. In addition, he seems like a good culture fit based on his status as a captain and the praise he received at Missouri. Why not the Patriots? Late on Day 3, the draft becomes fairly traits-based, with teams looking to find diamonds in the rough with particular skillsets worth developing. Jacobs has some intriguing traits, but overall does not stand out from a size/speed/productivity perspective. One-sentence verdict: An instinctual player with some developmental attributes, Jacobs might never become a starting linebacker in the NFL but is still a player worth taking a flier on late in the draft or as a priority free agent. For more information about this year’s class of prospects, please take a look at Adam’s 2026 NFL Draft Guide . Also, what do you think about Jacobs as a potential Patriots target? Do you like him? Where would you pick him? Please head down to the comment section to share your thoughts.