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Jets sign 3rd-round pick Jachai Polite

By Luke Easterling

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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The New York Jets have made it official with pass rusher Jachai Polite, one of the team’s third-round picks in the 2019 NFL draft.

With rookie minicamp kicking off this past week, the Jets have started getting this year’s draft picks under contract. Polite officially joined the ranks Sunday:

We've signed 3rd-round edge rusher Jachai Polite. #TakeFlight

? https://t.co/4oMlCQOc39 pic.twitter.com/YKeW9BUeaP

— New York Jets (@nyjets) May 12, 2019

Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan is excited about the playmaking potential Polite brings to the table:

He was a kid that we thought had a lot of potential and upside and we’re kind of excited to see what he can do. We definitely think he has pass rush ability and potential, so we’re excited to see what he can do as we work with him going forward.

A highly productive player at Florida, Polite struggled through the predraft process, landing at the top of the third round after many analysts projected him as a potential first-round pick just after the college football season ended.

Maccagnan believes Polite has all the tools to reach his lofty potential at the next level, especially after spending some quality time with him leading up to the draft:

He’s a young player, young person, and we had a chance to bring him into our facility here. We spent quite a bit more time with him and got a chance to get a better feel for him and we felt — like any player — there’s always risk. But we definitely thought there was a good guy to kind of work with there, and we thought there’s potential with him.

It’s fitting that Polite should sign his first contract on Mother’s Day, considering his Twitter handle makes his life goal clear (@RetireMoms):

She’s a very hard worker. She’s been working hard since she was 12, laboring and hard work. I just want to repay her somehow, some way, and hopefully it’s with football.

After losing out on Anthony Barr in free agency, Polite could end up being the sack-master the Jets desperately need off the edge.

How do you feel about the Polite pick? Give us your take in the comment section!

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