The Green Bay Packers may need to rethink their evaluation of Florida edge rusher Jachai Polite. After a disappointing performance at the NFL’s Scouting Combine on Sunday, Polite is rumored to be tumbling down draft boards.
Just Saturday, it was reported the Packers had their eye on Polite going into the combine. Tony Pauline of Draft Analyst noted they “really like” him as a prospect, building hype for Polite as a potential option at No. 12 overall.
But after Sunday’s lackluster performance, perhaps GM Brian Gutekunst may wait to take a chance on Polite – that is, if the Packers don’t remove him from their draft board altogether.
Several draft analysts have proclaimed their concern with Polite’s showing at the combine. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein stated Polite may as well kiss the first round goodbye:
Zierlein also said Polite had “terrible interviews,” a “terrible workout” and that there’s “no chance” he’s drafted in the first round at this point.
Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller also had something to say about Polite’s day. Apparently, Polite bombed his interviews with teams and was even called out for potentially faking a hamstring injury – an injury which forced him to skip all but two drills at the combine.
Polite claimed several teams bashed him during interviews, including the Packers, although he freely acknowledged that teams were just “doing their job.”
As for his combine performance, Polite posted sub-optimal numbers for a player of his caliber. Coming in at 6-3 and 258 pounds, Polite ran a 4.84-second 40-yard dash and produces a 32-inch vertical jump. He bowed out shortly after due to a hamstring injury.
According to Mockdraftable, Polite’s measurables don’t compare favorably to his peers. His height, weight and arm length place him in the bottom-third percentiles, while his vertical jump and 40-yard dash place him in the bottom half.
Undersized edge rushers can make up for their stature with pure athleticism. But Polite didn’t show that in Indianapolis. Together, the two ingredients make for a potential free fall.
The Packers may still value Polite highly as a player. After all, what prospects show on film is more important than a couple days at the combine. Still, Polite will likely have to come back from a disastrous weekend and crush his pro day to get back in the first round conversation.
