2019 NFL Draft: Tampa Bay Buccaners 7 round mock draft

2019 NFL Draft: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7 round mock draft

By Joe Romano | Mar 4, 2019

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 08: Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Jonah Williams (73) looks to make a block during the College Football Playoff National Championship Game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Georgia Bulldogs on January 8, 2018 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

2 of 5

ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 29: Florida Gators defensive lineman Jachai Polite (99) during the Peach Bowl between the Florida Gators and the Michigan Wolverines on December 29, 2018 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Round 2 – Pick 39

Jachai Polite, EDGE, Florida

After the run on edge defenders in the first round, I expected to be slim pickings at the top of round 2. Luckily for Tampa Bay that was not the case. The team worked hard to upgrade their defensive line last year with the drafting of Vita Vea, and bringing in Jason Pierre-Paul and Beau Allen. The group still needs some juice off the edge.

Enter in-state prospect Jachai Polite. The Florida Gator All-SEC edge rusher had a breakout 2018 campaign. He entered the season on scouts radars but exploded to lead a strong Gators defense. Despite being a bit undersized at 6-foot-2 and 240 pounds, Polite is a problem off the edge. He blends exceptional quickness with hip flexibility that is unmatched in this class.

There will be concerns about his ability to stand on the field for all three downs, but he progressed as a run defender this year. He will never be a stack and shed guy but he is slippery enough to get into gaps and disrupt plays.

Tampa could use him on the weak side opposite Pierre-Paul who still is a strong run defender. The two could share the field with Noah Spence as well with JPP kicking inside on long downs, given Tampa Bay a nasty front four with Vita Vea or Gerald McCoy plugging the other spot. Polite is not a perfect prospect but he has the traits of an elite edge defender.

Home/NFL Draft