Niner Noise
FanSided

2019 NFL Draft: Full Round 1 mock with trades, April Fools’ version

By Peter Panacy

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 25: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell stands at the podium during a moment of silence for the victims and those others affected by the Bombing at the Boston Marathon in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 25, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 25: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell stands at the podium during a moment of silence for the victims and those others affected by the Bombing at the Boston Marathon in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 25, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
25 of 33
Next
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) /

24. player. 28. . EDGE. Florida. Jachai Polite

OK, it’s a bit of a gamble for the Raiders, who are back on the clock after acquiring this pick from the Khalil Mack trade last year.

Florida edge rusher Jachai Polite easily had one of the worst NFL Scouting Combines on record. His performances were hindered by a hamstring injury, there were multiple reports of bad team interviews and Polite’s stock has taken a massive fall. It might not be a shock to see him drop out of Round 1 altogether.

Here’s the thing, though: Polite is a darned good pass-rusher when he’s on. And all one needs to do is turn on some college game tape to see just how explosive he can be.

Oakland already nabbed a game changer in Quinnen Williams earlier in the NFL Draft. That should set the tone up front. And with linebacking needs hopefully addressed with Vontaze Burfict in town, finding that pure pass-rusher should be high on the Raiders’ list.

Polite needs to showcase a bit more professionalism, sure. But for a player many saw as a top-15 talent falling all the way to No. 24, that’s a risk the Raiders should be willing to take.