Wide Receiver Ja’Lynn Polk was the brightest spot for the Patriots on offense, as he proved to being able to play all three wide receiver positions throughout training camp.
With the Patriots lacking reliable receiving options on offense, Ja’Lynn Polk illustrated his versatility of being able to play all three wide receiver positions by the end of camp. He even shared the “Z” spot K.J. Osborn duties with the starters. Polk also built a great rapport with rookie quarterback Drake Maye setting up a great future combo.
The Patriots used a high second-round pick to draft Polk to rebuild their wide-receiving core. Only Demario Douglas was the only reliable returning wide receiver from the slot. Polk’s ability to play all the wide receiver positions will make him vital to the Patriots whether he starts or not.
In dynasty leagues, if you are not already rostering Polk try to trade for him before his stock rises. In re-draft leagues either draft him in the late rounds if you have your draft today. If Polk is available, pick him up off waivers because he will be a playmaker this year.
New England Patriots wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk ...
New England Patriots wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk converted ...
New England Patriots rookie wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk has ...
In reference to the tumultuous nature of New England’s receiving corps, first-year head coach Jerod Mayo said “guys will have opportunities” and that there is “a wide-open competition” for roster spots.
With offseason organized team activities beginning across the NFL this week, incoming rookies are finally getting the chance to prove themselves against veteran players. For the New England Patriots, newcomers such as Drake Maye — the franchise’s hopeful quarterback of the future — and wide receivers Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker will have an opportunity to make a big first impression on their new boss.
Although Maye and Polk, in particular, were both high draft choices selected within the top 40, it sounds like they’ll have to earn the trust of Jerod Mayo in order to earn themselves a role come September. When discussing the receivers’ room specifically, Mayo said, “It’s a wide-open competition. We have some young bulls, we have some older players, we have guys who are really unproven, so this is an opportunity for them to really get a leg up, going forward.” Mayo also made it clear that the absence of presumptive starter Kendrick Bourne — still recovering from a torn ACL sustained during a Week 8 loss to the Miami Dolphins last season — will undoubtedly open up opportunities for both Polk and Baker, among others.
Although New England attacked its pressing needs on offense during the draft, this is still a group you will want to avoid in fantasy. While Bourne (when healthy) merits consideration as a FLEX option in deeper formats, it’s still unknown as to who the signal-caller in Foxborough will be come Week 1. Maye will certainly elevate the ceiling of the Patriots’ wideouts once he enters the fold, but the timing is still unknown. Until then, Polk and Baker can be seen as mid-to-late-round dynasty assets, while Bourne and second-year man DeMario Douglas are safer short-term bets with Brissett under center.
The New England Patriots drafted former Washington wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk in the 2nd round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
With the 37th pick in the 2nd round of the 2024 NFL Draft the New England Patriots selected wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk from Washington. Polk has decent size at 203 pounds on a 6’1 frame and he tested out to an 82nd percentile Burst Score. He played sparely for Texas Tech his freshman year and transferred to Washington. As a sophomore Polk suffered an injury on the season’s very first play and ended up redshirting. As a redshirt sophomore he started 8 games with 41 catches 649 receiving yards and 6 receiving touchdowns. He then finished his redshirt junior season with 69 receptions 1,159 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns.
Ja’Lynn Polk was an explosive weapon for Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. in their championship runner-up season. Polk will pair nicely with new draft teammate quarterback Drake Maye from North Carolina. You can expect both players to start immediately due to the lack of the talent available on the team. This is a great duo of quarterback-wide receiver to grow together. Polk will have opportunities whether he struggles out of the gates or not.
Look for Polk to be a decent sneaky pick in your dynasty drafts. Polk pairs well with QB Drake Maye and he can be an asset to your team as they grow together. The Patriots offense should finally see the light in the darkness after legend Tom Brady left. There may be some bumps in the road early but look for the offense to much more explosive than the Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe era.
Ja’Lynn Polk looks to rise up every General Managers draft board after his NFL Combine performance.
Washington Huskies wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk measured in at 6’-1” and 203lbs. He is proving at the combine that it was a wise decision to enter the draft early. Not only did Polk post a solid 40-yard dash time (4.52), but he had a phenomenal 9.47 RAS score. The wide receiver ranked third at the position in the broad jump with a 10’-9” showing and had an 83 Burst Score.
Polk broke out in his final season with the Huskies by compiling 69 receptions for 1,159 yards and nine touchdowns. He averaged 16.8 yards per reception with one play going for 92 yards. With his skillset, the wide receiver should be a Day 2 pick in the NFL.
After declaring for the draft, Polk’s ADP has steadily risen in rookie drafts. Dynasty managers should be targeting Polk in the second round of upcoming rookie drafts.
