Should the Redskins draft Jachai Polite?
This is a conversation the Redskins need to have early. Before free agency, in fact.
The Redskins need to be familiar with the possible replacements for Preston Smith before they decide on a deal for the Mississippi State product. What if they were to draft Polite, then find that he’s a liability against the run in the NFL, whereas Preston Smith is not?
Polite brings more upside that Preston Smith at this point in his career. One isn’t even 21 years old yet, while the other is 26. But Smith is a much more well-rounded edge rusher, and while Polite is fairly polished with his speed, his power and length cultivate very legitimate concerns. He’s shown in flashes that if he has leverage, his lacking punch becomes pure brute strength. But can he add that to his game, on a consistent basis, against NFL tackles? If he can, then Polite could be the next big thing. If he can’t, then he’s a pass rush specialist, and a somewhat limited one at that.
Ultimately, if the Redskins are to draft Polite, they first need to ask themselves this question: How good is Preston Smith? If the team moves on from Smith, Polite immediately becomes a top option in Round 1. His speed warrants such an early selection; he can be a total game-breaker against the pass. But can he be feasibly molded into a more well-rounded player? If the answer is yes, in the eyes of the evaluator, then he’s a compelling candidate at No. 15.