Redskins 2019 NFL Draft top twenty edge rusher big board

Jachai Polite has always been an interesting evaluation, and after his roller coaster ride of a pre-Draft process, his intrigue only heightens.

Polite had a bad offseason, testing poorly in the limited drills he ran at the Combine and at his pro day, citing a lingering hamstring injury. He also interviewed poorly at the NFL Combine, criticizing teams for bashing his play and revealing to the media that he doesn’t watch film of himself. When he came back into the spotlight at his pro day, he’d appeared to have gained weight, further ballooning his bad reputation.

Still, Polite will be drafted, and he’ll probably be drafted in Round 3 at the latest. His tape, at its heights, screams first-round prospect, and while his game has some holes, he has some rare traits on the football field, if he can just continue to apply them.

Polite’s calling card is his burst and his speed around the edge. That was why his 4.84 40-yard dash was somewhat concerning for some, because Polite’s best trait is easily his burst. He doesn’t have the length to anchor linemen consistently, and his rush move tool box is somewhat sparse. But with his explosive burst, he’s able to gain leverage artificially, lower himself, and sear around the edge. With that trait alone, he can be a situational pass rusher, but it’s hard to confidently project him to be more, especially if he doesn’t self-scout, or entertain constructive criticism.