Niner Noise
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2019 NFL Draft: Power ranking top 10 edge rushers for 49ers

By Peter Panacy

COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 1: Nick Bosa #97 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates after recovering a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown in the second quarter against the Oregon State Beavers at Ohio Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 1: Nick Bosa #97 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates after recovering a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown in the second quarter against the Oregon State Beavers at Ohio Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /
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STARKVILLE, MS – SEPTEMBER 29: Jachai Polite #99 of the Florida Gators celebrates a sack during the second half against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium on September 29, 2018 in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
STARKVILLE, MS – SEPTEMBER 29: Jachai Polite #99 of the Florida Gators celebrates a sack during the second half against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium on September 29, 2018 in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

Florida EDGE Jachai Polite is an intriguing prospect the 49ers may even consider at No. 2 overall.

Polite would need to have an excellent NFL Scouting Combine for that to happen. Even if he’s so-so during his workouts, the Niners could always consider him a favored target if they trade down from their top pick in the NFL Draft.

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Why? Well, Polite is a prototype small-sized pass-rusher (6-foot-2 and 242 pounds), who doesn’t need size to overpower blockers. Instead, he relies on an almost fanatical array of pass-rush moves and speed to get to the quarterback.

In this sense, Polite is almost more shifty instead of overpowering, which can be of notable value against bigger, slower linemen.

Like Burns, Polite burst onto the scene in 2018 with 11.0 sacks and 19.5 tackles for a loss. As far as a pass-rusher is concerned, he’s one of the more enticing players in this year’s NFL Draft class.

Don’t expect him to be anything more than a pass-rush specialist, however, as his run defense is notably lacking. Remember, though, pass-rushers are more important in the current NFL era than quality run stoppers.