Despite a difficult pre-draft process, Scott Geelan still thinks the 49ers should be taking a long, hard look at EDGE rusher Jachai Polite
As late as the morning of March 2nd, the day after the EDGE rusher measurements were taken at the Combine and before they tested, Jachai Polite was nearing first round pick lock status. If you watched any of the Florida Gators this season, it was hard to miss the dreadlocked speed demon flying off the edge. If you actively went looking for his film or his highlights, you were never disappointed. On the field, Polite was a stud.
Off the field has been another story. Whilst his weigh in at the Combine seemed positive, it became clear once he started testing that Polite had added bad weight. Whether that directly caused his poor Combine & Pro Day testing or indirectly caused it by being a contributory factor towards him damaging his hamstring is largely unimportant. The addition of bad weight at a time when Polite needed to be in the shape of his life was justifiably the cause of criticism.
Furthermore, he didn’t acquit himself particularly well in front of the media at the Combine (though not as badly as some made out), nor reportedly in team meetings. He did somewhat better in front of the media at Florida’s Pro Day in, demonstrating accountability, understanding and growth in this area at least.
Polite’s weight gain, poor testing & disappointing interview performances seem to have confirmed the concerns of many that he might struggle to add good weight to enable him to play full time in the NFL and that he didn’t have the maturity or work ethic to succeed as a pro. As a result, he’s fallen from a likely first round pick to someone who could be available entering day three of the Draft.
The true facts behind Polite’s poor showing in the draft process are probably significantly more complex than the suggestions he cannot add good weight and that he’s immature. This is the time that I’d love to say having spoken with Jachai or his team, the reason he has gained weight was X and/or Y. But without having been able to do that, one can only speculate and attempt to read between the lines from things that he has said.
He has certainly mentioned that he was overawed by the draft process. This can be expected somewhat, he only turned 21 on March 30th. Clearly, there have been many players of Polite’s age who have acquitted themselves far better during the biggest and longest job interview of their lives, but it is unrealistic and arguably unfair to expect 20-21 year olds to all perform well during this process. Most people have screwed up interviews in their lives, especially if the interviewers started attacking them. To do so doesn’t actually make them immature or a poor candidate – to think this way continues the unfortunate and unfair trend of expecting standards of sportspeople that are simply not expected of the rest of us. We must therefore try not to be influenced too heavily by his reported performances in front of teams as well as his comments in the media.
This overawed feeling during the draft process did not just extend to struggling to take criticism during team interviews and being damagingly candid about his frustration with those interviews in front of the media. It also seems like he or his advisors were affected by outside noise: First to add extra weight at this stage in his transition to the NFL to get ‘bigger & stronger’; then to go out and run at the Pro Day when he was clearly still injured, perhaps to try and demonstrate his widely questioned work ethic. These are decisions that with hindsight can certainly be criticised.
To view the NFL Draft process in the context of one long interview is very important. In fact, the interview has essentially been dragged out over much of the players’ football playing life. Understandably, importance does have to be given, within reason, to the most recent information available on a player. Nevertheless, one certainly hopes that decision makers and fans alike can also look at a broader body of evidence than merely the four months of work that are decidedly not actual football after a player’s college career has ended. For Polite, those four months do not seem to have gone especially well. This was, however, in stark contrast to the four months that preceded them.
The Film
On the evidence of film alone, Polite is comfortably a top 5 EDGE player in this class. His combination of an elite get-off, bend, rapid cadence, explosive change of direction ability, a variety of pass rush moves and an understanding of his own game (regardless of whether he says he watches film of himself) made him the player I thought has the best chance to be the best pass rusher from this EDGE class. Polite received a pass rush grade of 91.0 from PFF this past season, had a pass rush productivity of 20 and recorded 40 total pressures on 250 rushes.
The consensus on #49ers twitter seems to be that Josh Allen is the next best guy if Nick Bosa goes first overall… I’m here to make the case for former Florida Gator Jachai Polite (@RetireMoms). His film is fun (thread starts here) pic.twitter.com/MZiXWUrjeu
— Scott Geelan (@Scott_Geelan) January 9, 2019
Started with the spins. Well known speed guy (mind boggling at times) but having counters is key to NFL success & the spin is arguably the most lethal counter in a speed rusher’s arsenal. He’s GOOD at the spin move. Fast transition into spin, fluid & ice pick to finish. Wheeew pic.twitter.com/D3BCo5LIRj
— Scott Geelan (@Scott_Geelan) January 9, 2019
Polite’s spin move is the best spin move in the class and one of the best we’ve seen come out in the draft in some time. It perfectly complements the threat he carries to the outside, which NFL tackles will have to respect in much the same way as their college counterparts.
The flip side to the spin. His physical tools & awareness of his threats are a real problem for tackles. Can’t keep oversetting, but you have to get out your stance quickly. This guy does, but when Polite is 2 yards ahead of everyone else it doesn’t matter. Gators’ ball pic.twitter.com/Y2lTTZuta4
— Scott Geelan (@Scott_Geelan) January 9, 2019
Another demonstration of his explosiveness of the snap. Steps 1, 2 & 3 are just unreal. Likes a rip move as he turns the corner but you’ll see him combine it with cross-chops & clubs if tackles can get their hands near him. More polished than he gets credit for pic.twitter.com/gjYvSSU9To
— Scott Geelan (@Scott_Geelan) January 9, 2019
Not only can he win with speed, but he does have a long arm and bull rush in his locker. With NFL coaching these can certainly develop further.
Don’t see much speed-power on film, which isn’t particularly surprising given his size. He’s got plenty in the locker already but given his explosiveness & natural leverage advantage, it’s certainly something he could develop. Devastating hesi-long arm here pic.twitter.com/0Ey6cZAP4O
— Scott Geelan (@Scott_Geelan) January 9, 2019
Bull rush here, gets some serious push. Just another thing to add to the repertoire – tools are clearly there to develop in this area but it’s certainly not something that’s general absence is worrisome pic.twitter.com/mfHKtS5fvM
— Scott Geelan (@Scott_Geelan) January 9, 2019
The fluidity of his movement skills ensure he’s a real danger for offensive tackles, ensuring he can be unpredictable with his approach such that tackles can never really set up for him. If he can improve his speed-power, this ability to subtly change direction as he moves will see even more tackles whiffing on him as they set for his power rush before getting hit by speed, or vice versa.
Something else that shows up, Polite moves like a running back at times. Combines head fakes with subtle changes of direction to freeze offensive tackles the same way as RBs do to defensive players. Does that here, by the tackle before he can say Jachai pic.twitter.com/02kyGe2aWx
— Scott Geelan (@Scott_Geelan) January 9, 2019
He’s also a turnover machine, recording a forced fumble on over half his sacks in 2018 (6 forced fumbles on 11 sacks). For a team like the 49ers, who struggled to turn the ball over, a player who understands the importance of turning the ball over and actively targets it can make a real impression.
A feature of his film, even when he looks like he’s getting pushed past the pocket, he’s always hunting for the ball. The 49ers have had a turnover problem, Polite will get the ball out pic.twitter.com/6n9uCumQoQ
— Scott Geelan (@Scott_Geelan) January 9, 2019
His ability to stay in plays is also impressive.
Crucial tool for a pass rusher, ability to work back to the level of QB. You need awareness & good hand usage most of all, but lateral explosiveness doesn’t hurt either. The lateral explosiveness on show here as he gets to the quarterback after it seems over. Swipes/clubs too pic.twitter.com/ZgzDZ3pvmF
— Scott Geelan (@Scott_Geelan) January 9, 2019
There is no doubt Polite is an inferior run defender than he is pass rusher. He can certainly be engulfed by larger tackles. But the hustle he shows as a pass rusher shows up as a run defender as well, and he certainly gets disrespected more as a run defender than he deserves.
His run defense is generally pretty disrespected. He’s not Bosa or Clelin Ferrell, but he’s not a bad run defender. Shows effort every play & easily handles this tackle. Establishes inside hadn’t position, peaks inside, outside & then sheds for the tackle pic.twitter.com/pftB91Xkzn
— Scott Geelan (@Scott_Geelan) January 9, 2019
Impressive rep here – sheds the TE (beats them up generally) then the tackle to make the stop. Active hands pic.twitter.com/oqKCGRHuEk
— Scott Geelan (@Scott_Geelan) January 9, 2019
Got better at this it seemed as the year wore on – awareness when unblocked. Wrong arms the puller, spilling the back, who is then forced back to Polite who makes the physical tackle pic.twitter.com/iQLIgh6Asm
— Scott Geelan (@Scott_Geelan) January 9, 2019
His athleticism also, unsurprisingly, comes in handy.
Lateral quickness on show again here. Beats the tackle instantly and makes a play. Seemed like this was a nickel blitz & Polite needed to make that play. Lots of blocking out in front pic.twitter.com/XQDpVvLMdJ
— Scott Geelan (@Scott_Geelan) January 10, 2019
This was a wild play. All his weight travelling inside, somehow changes direction and makes a TFL on the jet sweep. Unbelievable play pic.twitter.com/HtKdeDw0DJ
— Scott Geelan (@Scott_Geelan) January 10, 2019
Final gif before discussing his fit with the 49ers… backside pursuit, runs tight to the LOS to make a TFL. Teams will leave the 49ers’ LEO unblocked at times – big risk when he’s THIS explosive pic.twitter.com/yiPx9M47WZ
— Scott Geelan (@Scott_Geelan) January 10, 2019
The Fit
How exactly should the 49ers reconcile his rough pre-draft process with his superb on field ability?
Before the Combine, I truly believed Polite could justifiably be the 49ers pick at number two. Now however, the risk is simply too great based on what we have seen and know. To me, his range starts in the later first round, primarily amongst teams who are closer to success and able to take more of a risk on a prospect with immense upside.
Finding a high quality EDGE rusher after the first half of the first round is generally nigh on impossible – there’s a reason the 49ers and the Chiefs have been willing to part with late first round, or early second round picks for two high calibre EDGE rushers with Pro Bowl or All-Pro ability. Polite has the talent to make an impact similar to those two players. The 49ers’ coaches, front office and fans are not a group that needs reminding what a lack of quality or depth at EDGE rusher does to a team’s chances of being elite.
Beyond the attraction of playing the odds (the same way teams should do for quarterbacks, the upside of hitting on an EDGE is so high it’s worth the gamble), the 49ers themselves are in something of a unique team building situation, making this approach more attractive. When healthy, they appear to be closer to success than their 2018 record suggests. They have their quarterback and several other high calibre players at important positions. They could and arguably should take a gamble on a high upside EDGE rusher, especially with their second round pick and even more certainly with their third round pick of Polite was still on the board at that stage. This is despite them already have Dee Ford, who is excellent but has had injury issues, and probably being in position to draft Nick Bosa. A three headed monster of Polite, Bosa & Ford could be incredibly dangerous and comparatively cheap.
Whether or not the 49ers did pick Nick Bosa, the team also wouldn’t be reliant on Polite starting straight away – he could spend his first season as a specialist EDGE rusher – his best role early on. If the team did draft Bosa, he would likely be the first man to spell Bosa & Ford off the bench.
Furthermore, whilst his weight gain may well have cost him money because of his poor testing and the effort/attitude questions created, it has given him a four month head start on the process that he would presumably have had to undergo after being drafted. This is significant and suggests he could be further along the process of adjusting to his NFL physique. That in itself is attractive.
Over time, Polite could develop into a full time starter in the 49ers’ scheme, especially with the likely addition of further wide 9 elements as well as the continued use of the fronts the team used against the likes of the Rams with two stand up outside linebackers on the line of scrimmage. Perhaps in two years time, the team would feel comfortable moving on from Ford and keeping Bosa & Polite as their two primary EDGE players.
Given the other options likely available at number two overall, Bosa or Quinnen Williams, the risk is certainly too great to take Polite at number two. However, the 49ers should seriously consider Polite if he’s on the board any time they pick after the late first round.
Given the already unpredictable nature of the draft, the nature of Polite’s fit in San Francisco and his sensational upside, the risk at those points seems justified. We have already seen the 49ers gamble on elite upside on a falling player, Reuben Foster, and he seemingly had more significant red flags than Polite. Whilst their experiences with Foster could spook the team, it is also indicative of an organisation that is cognisant of the wildly unpredictable nature of the draft itself, the need to stock up on talent at crucial positions within their scheme as well as one that is willing to bet on high calibre film translating to the NFL.
Furthermore, you get the sense a reunion with Bosa (if he is the 49ers pick at 2) might well be of interest…
.@GatorsFB defensive end Jachai Polite (@RetireMoms) is rooming with @OhioStateFB’s Nick Bosa (@nbsmallerbear) at the NFL Combine. pic.twitter.com/pgc1uV7QeW
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) March 2, 2019