Latest news with #Ja'LynnPolk
USA Today
03-06-2025
- Business
- USA Today
2nd rounders in 2nd year: 2025 outlook for Patriots WR Ja'Lynn Polk
2nd rounders in 2nd year: 2025 outlook for Patriots WR Ja'Lynn Polk Not every second-round draft pick finds immediate success in the NFL. That plain fact often obscures a player's initial evaluation in our society of instant gratification and immediate validation. Some are drafted with an eye for the future more than heavy usage in the present. That's the basis for our series focusing on the 2024 second-rounders who didn't get a chance to do a lot as rookies, for a variety of reasons. So far, we've covered: Cowboys EDGE Marshawn Kneeland Cardinals CB Max Melton Chiefs OL Kingsley Suamataia Lions CB Ennis Rakestraw Falcons DT Ruke Orhorhoro Next up is a player with a lot to prove in Year 2: Ja'Lynn Polk. The New England Patriots selected Polk with the No. 37 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft after a strong career playing wide receiver at Washington (and Texas Tech prior). The 6-foot-1, 203-pound Polk offered impressive size and exceptional ball tracking skills, performing very well as part of a talented WR ensemble for the Huskies. The Patriots liked what they saw from Polk in training camp and preseason to give him chances to play extensively early on. He started five of the first six games, primarily operating outside but shifting into the slot for about 20 percent of his snaps. Polk struggled to get off press coverage, and his pedestrian speed didn't work as effectively in the NFL as it did in college. After getting 26 targets and hauling in just 10 of them for 84 yards in the first seven games, Polk missed Week 8 with a concussion. The Patriots effectively moved on from Polk thereafter; Polk had just two catches on seven targets in the remainder of his rookie season. Based on how New England approached their offseason, that move away from Polk might persist--at least in 2025. The Patriots added free agent WRs Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins, and both are above Polk on the Patriots depth chart. Hollins is a much bigger and more accomplished "big" receiver, while Diggs is a master route runner and dynamic Pro Bowl talent. The Patriots also drafted Washington State speedster Kyle Williams in the third round, adding to a receiver room that still has useful vet Kendrick Bourne and third-year Kayshon Boutte, who finished second on the team in WR targets a year ago. Polk figures to get chances to impress the new coaching staff headed by Mike Vrabel, but he's got real work to do to stay relevant in the Patriots' plans in 2025. Improving his release off the line and handling physicality would be a good place to start for Polk.
USA Today
06-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Ja'Lynn Polk's blunt reaction to Patriots signing WR Stefon Diggs
Ja'Lynn Polk's blunt reaction to Patriots signing WR Stefon Diggs New England Patriots wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk reacted to the team signing Stefon Diggs when answering questions from fans on Instagram Live. '[Expletive], we got another dawg, man. [Expletive] finna get real," said Polk. Diggs signed a three-year, $69 million deal to come to New England. The four-time Pro Bowl receiver adds a top playmaking option to the Patriots' offense on the field. Meanwhile, he could serve as a key veteran mentor for a young player like Polk, who struggled during his rookie season. Polk showed promise throughout training camp, but he was never able to put it together on the field in live games. There's hope that a year under his belt and improved confidence go a long way in him finally breaking out in Year 2. There could be more competition to compete with for wide receiver reps. Along with the addition of Diggs, the Patriots signed free agent receiver Mack Hollins in the offseason. They might also add another top-tier option in the 2025 NFL draft. Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook.
USA Today
05-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Ja'Lynn Polk's six-word response to jersey number change question
Ja'Lynn Polk's six-word response to jersey number change question New England Patriots wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk went on Instagram Live Friday and indicated that he is not changing his jersey number. 'No, I'm not changing my number," Polk said. Polk wore the No. 1 last season, a number that was given to Stefon Diggs during his one-year run with the Houston Texans. Some wondered if Diggs would be looking to use that number again in New England, but he quickly shut down that talk when asked by a fan. 'Nah we ont do that & young boy boutta have a good year … believe in em," Diggs responded on Instagram, when asked if he'd wear No. 1 for the Patriots. Polk is looking to bounce back after a tough rookie season where he only made 12 catches for 87 yards and one touchdown. He's hoping to see a massive leap in production under newly-hired offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. A solid season from Polk could go a long way in improving the offense. At the very least, he'll have a clean slate under McDaniels and wide receivers coach Todd Downing. A chance to start over with a new coaching staff and improved offense could go a long way towards helping his development as a player. Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook.
USA Today
22-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Drake Maye reveals Patriots players expected to break out in 2025
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye believes the two young receivers, Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker, will step up for the team in 2025 after disappointing rookie campaigns. Both receivers came to New England with expectations of contributing right out of the gates. However, Polk struggled to make plays in his limited opportunities, and Baker was barely on the field. Polk recorded 12 catches for 87 yards, while Baker tallied one catch for 12 yards in the season finale against the Buffalo Bills. The Patriots are hoping to make drastic improvements at the receiver position, but some of the help the team needs might already be on the roster. 'We brought in two rookie receivers, Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker—were kind of feeling it out this year, and they both battled some injuries,' Maye said on 'Green Light with Chris Long.' 'But hopefully expecting one of them, if not both, to kind of make a splash this year.' #Patriots QB Drake Maye on who he wants to have a breakout year: 'We brought in two rookie receivers, Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker, were kind of feeling it out this year and they both battled some injuries. But hopefully expecting one of them, if not both, to kind of make a splash this year.' (🎥: @greenlight) — New England Sports Fellow (@NESportsFellow) February 20, 2025 Positive contributions from Polk and Baker would go a long way toward helping the Patriots' offense reach the next level. It would also speed up the rebuilding process by limiting the outside help needed to compete.
