NFL Draft Countdown31. Los Angeles Rams: Jachai Polite DE | FloridaAaron Donald racked up 20.5 sacks, an absurd number for a defensive tackle, yet the Rams were middle of the pack leaguewide in that department. That speaks to how tenuous the situation is on the edges. Los Angeles did manage to retain Dante Fowler, Jr. but only on a one-year deal. Another pass rusher needs to be added to the mix to provide depth and perhaps some long-term clarity.
Polite may lack the ideal length you’d prefer but he may be the best pure pass rusher in this class. It all starts with an explosive first step off the ball, which is borderline special. Polite isn’t just a one-trick pony though and also has a diverse arsenal of moves and counters. Polite is a classic positional ‘tweener and won’t be a fit for everyone. Concerns about his intangibles that were raised during the pre-draft process don’t help matters either. As a result Polite will likely slide down draft boards a bit even though the tape screams Top 20 overall.
