Chicago Bears 2019 NFL Draft: potential pass rush sleepers
Jachai Polite, DE, Florida
One risky pick deserves another, so let’s focus on Jachai Polite from Florida. Polite has had a rough lead up to the draft as he put up awful numbers at the 2019 NFL Combine and skipped many of the drills.
Polite also complained to reporters after the interview process with several NFL teams during the combine. He was upset and felt that the teams were focusing on him negatively.
Polite showed up out of shape and injured himself during Florida’s pro day where several NFL scouts were watching. A potential top-30 pick has now slid down and even off of some team’s draft boards.
I’d take a chance on Jachai Polite in round 4. Talent I off the charts but it sounds like he has major work ethic issues. Crazy to think he was a consensus 1st rounder just a few weeks ago #bears
— Stephen Letizia (@StephenLetizia) March 27, 2019
If it came down to the Bears choosing between Christian Miller and Polite, both who are risky picks for different reasons, I think Polite may have the higher upside. He is also the higher-risk pick.
Yes, there are plenty of negatives to focus on with Polite. That being said, he had a great final season at Florida. He had 11 sacks and forced six fumbles. By comparison, Miller forced one fumble in his entire Alabama career.
Polite has really explosive abilities, and he could fit in well to the Bears pass rush rotation. He’s a guy the team should be ready to pick if he falls to the third round.