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NFL Scouting Combine: 5 players who need to improve 2019 draft stock

By Peter Panacy

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 02: LSU running back Derrius Guice runs the 40-yard dash during the 2018 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 2, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 02: LSU running back Derrius Guice runs the 40-yard dash during the 2018 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 2, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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KNOXVILLE, TN – SEPTEMBER 22: Jachai Polite #99 of the Florida Gators gets past Ty Chandler #8 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the first quarter of the game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN – SEPTEMBER 22: Jachai Polite #99 of the Florida Gators gets past Ty Chandler #8 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the first quarter of the game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /

Unlike quarterback, the 49ers will be searching for an edge rusher in this year’s NFL Draft. Fortunately, there are going to be more than a few on display at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Ohio State EDGE Nick Bosa, who is still the consensus No. 1 overall prospect, won’t have a lot to prove at the combine. Kentucky EDGE/SAM linebacker Josh Allen probably doesn’t either, unless he absolutely wants to convince scouts he belongs in the top three.

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After that, things get a bit cloudier for pass-rushers. Is the third best prospect Clemson’s Clelin Ferrell? Florida State’s Brian Burns? Or will a pass rush-needy team, such as San Francisco, have its eyes on Florida EDGE Jachai Polite?

At 6-foot-2 and 242 pounds, Polite looks to be more of a pass-rushing specialist only leading up to the combine. That’s fine in today’s pass-first NFL.

But what Polite has to do at the NFL Scouting Combine is separate himself from the crop of second-tier pass-rushers behind Bosa and Allen. Polite has amazing speed, so his 40-yard time shouldn’t be too big a question mark. What might be of interest, however, are both his shuttle times and cone drills — aspects that will test his agility and change-of-direction speed.

It’s not too hard to find big boards listing Polite within the top 10, while others have him going late in Round 1.

Yet a strong performance from Polite could change that a lot.

Next. NFL Scouting Combine: 5 pass-rushers of intrigue to 49ers. dark

The 2019 NFL Scouting Combine officially kicks off on Tuesday, Feb. 26 from Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.