Arguably no position is deeper in the 2019 NFL Draft class than edge rusher, and ESPN's Mel Kiper has the Redskins dipping into the pool with his initial 2019 mock draft having Washington selecting Florida's Jachai Polite.
You'll need ESPN+ to take a look at the whole mock draft, but Kiper says, "ultimately, I'm going with Polite, a perfect pass-rusher for a 3-4 defense who came on strong with 11 sacks this season." Polite, who is leaving school after his junior season, also tied a Florida school record with six forced fumbles in 2018. He is listed as the No. 2 outside linebacker on both Kiper and fellow ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay's prospect rankings.
Polite announced his decision to forego his senior season days after Florida's blowout victory over Michigan in the Peach Bowl. In his Twitter post announcing his intentions, Polite said "I can't wait to prove to NFL teams that I can be and will be the best defensive lineman in the NFL."
Polite's quickness and burst at around 240 pounds make him an ideal fit at outside linebacker in the Redskins' 3-4 scheme. In a Sports Illustrated profile of Polite in October 2018, Florida head coach Dan Mullen compared Polite's explosiveness to Dwight Freeney, who totaled 125.5 sacks in his NFL career.
Polite wasn't the only name mentioned in Kiper's breakdown, as he said the Redskins could also be a landing spot for QB Kyler Murray (Kiper had Murray being drafted by the Miami Dolphins two picks earlier). Kiper also discussed safety as a potential target position for Washington following the release of D.J. Swearinger and the impending free agency of Ha Ha Clinton-Dix.
