Jets Cutting 68th Overall Pick From 2019 Jachai Polite is Sad Indictment of Adam Gase

In the span of just five months, former Florida Gators pass rusher Jachai Polite went from borderline first-round draft prospect to being cut by the Jets prior to Week 1 of the NFL season.

Polite, who had 19.5 tackles for loss and 11 sacks during his junior year, went into the combine heralded as a first-round talent, but left a wild card after showing up out of shape, bombing workouts, and flunking interviews.

Despite all that and additional attitude concerns, deposed GM Mike Maccagnan and the New York Jets scooped him up in the third round. That turned out to be a complete waste of a pick, as Polite was cut Saturday following an abysmal preseason.

Not only was it the first time in 30 years that a Jet picked that early was cut before the season started, but Polite was the highest draft pick cut since the late Quentin Moses was released after being picked 65th overall by the Oakland Raiders in 2007.

It goes without saying that this is an extremely bad look for Jets head coach Adam Gase. Gase was a big supporter of the Polite pick, while defensive coordinator Gregg Williams wanted no part of him.

Due to Polite's struggles against the run, he was viewed exclusively as a 3-4 outside linebacker. Nonetheless, Williams made him a defensive end in his 4-3 scheme, and Polite looked awful in the preseason, as he lacked the strength and motor to get off blocks.

Polite will latch on in a 3-4 scheme somewhere, but the Jets just wasted a quality pick on what turned out to be a camp body.

Nine picks after the Jets took Polite off the board, the New England Patriots grabbed former Michigan pass rusher Chase Winovich who looks destined to blossom into a stud in the pros. Now, the Jets will have to sit back and watch him flourish for their AFC East rivals.