Niner Noise
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NFL Draft 2019: Florida EDGE Jachai Polite will be a bust

By Jeremy Wohlfart

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) /
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Jachai Polite made no friends during the draft process, and has turned himself from a sure first rounder to a wildcard picks. Niner Noise breaks down why he’s a likely bust in the NFL, and why the San Francisco 49ers should steer clear.

Pending a trade down in the 2019 NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers are almost definitely picking between Alabama defensive tackle Quinnen Williams or Ohio State EDGE Nick Bosa for No. 2 overall.

If the Niners do pick Williams, there is some intrigue. For if they take advantage of the deep edge-rusher class and take someone in the second round to create a monster defensive line, it wouldn’t be shocking with an interior selection in Round 1.

If they do, Jachai Polite cannot be that player whatsoever.

If there’s one hyped prospect who should have sirens and whistles blowing in warning, it’s the former Florida EDGE, who has gone from one of the most talented players in his deep position class to one of the most derided prospects in the entire NFL Draft.

As a refresher, Polite absolutely tore apart his draft stock with one of the most shockingly bad combines of all time. Jon Ledyard explained more:

Brett Yarris would then break down his disaster of a media interview:

It’s extremely concerning any player would come in unprepared for the NFL Scouting Combine (the biggest day on the calendar for prospects), essentially quit before it was over and then complained about teams for doing their due diligence.

Polite is undoubtedly talented, but the team has have been burned by poor character talents before. Linebackers Aldon Smith and Reuben Foster are two recent first-round picks who were talented, but just too much trouble for what it was worth for San Francisco.

In the NFL, talent doesn’t trump character. It gives players more chances than a practice squad scrub, perhaps, and it certainly does mean a talented prospect is going to get drafted relatively earlier than a less-talented player, if they had the same antics. But eventually, players like Smith burn their last chances in the league.

The 49ers are on the cusp of being a playoff team and can’t afford to take chances with guys who don’t take the game seriously. The old adage is a true one: A champion team beats a team of champions.

At the end of the day, passion and hard work beat talent. Polite is talented, but lacks the passion or work ethic to be a team player. If he couldn’t be bothered before the draft, why would he try when he’s signed his contract and getting his millions?

Next. San Francisco 49ers: 2019 NFL Draft primer with needs and 7-round mock. dark

The truth is he won’t. Some players are just in it for the fame and money without making the necessary work and sacrifices to make it big.

That’s why he’s going to bust in the NFL.