2019 NFL Draft Big Board: Top 25 Prospects entering NFL Combine

Florida’s Jachai Polite lacks the size to play defensive end at the next level, but he’s a great fit in 3-4 schemes as a stand-up edge rusher. Some view Polite as a pass-rushing specialist, which undervalues his ability against the run. As a junior in Gainesville, Polite racked up 11 sacks to show his prowess as a rusher, but he combined that with 19 tackles-for-loss, showing plenty of ability to make plays against the run.

Polite’s best value is as a pass rusher, though, with his outstanding speed rush and bend helping him terrorize opposing signal-callers. Pass rushers are a premium in today’s NFL, and as such Polite has tremendous value as a prospect, even with his size limiting some of his options.

The Florida product displays excellent tools and an arsenal of pass rushing moves despite the fact that 2018 was his first season as a starter for the Gators. He’ll need a few technique tweaks to maximize his explosiveness from the snap, but it shouldn’t take him long to make the necessary adjustments under the right coaching.

After Ohio State’s Nick Bosa and Kentucky’s Josh Allen, the door is wide open for an edge rusher to make a big leap up draft boards. There’s numerous teams within the Top 10 who need an edge-rushing presence, which could cause Polite’s stock to continue to soar over the next couple of months.

If Bosa and Allen are both off the board by the time the Raiders pick at No. 4, something that looks to be a strong possibility, then Polite could be in play for Gruden and company. He’s unlikely to slip much further than No. 12 or No. 13, where the Packers and Dolphins will no doubt be looking for an impact player off the edge.