Polk caught two of his three targets for six yards in Thursday's 14-13 preseason loss to the Eagles. Polk had modest stats across 26 snaps, but he displayed some run-after-the-catch ability while shedding a pair of would-be tacklers on a six-yard completion from QB Drake Maye in the second quarter. The rookie second-round pick is a candidate to secure a key role, but whether that translates to initial fantasy relevance hinges on both his early-season workload and how heavily the team leans on the run amidst its transition at quarterback.
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Status
ACTIVELatest Ja'Lynn Polk news
Team
New England Patriots
Birthdate
4/11/2002 (22)
Status
Active
HT/WT
6'1", 203 lbs
Draft Info
2024: Rd 2; Pk (NE)
Birthplace
Lufkin, TX, USA
Position
WR
College
Washington
Career History
New England Patriots
2024-Present
(1 season)
Polk caught two of his three targets for six yards in Thursday's 14-13 preseason loss to the Eagles. Polk had modest stats across 26 snaps, but he displayed some run-after-the-catch ability while shedding a pair of would-be tacklers on a six-yard completion from QB Drake Maye in the second quarter. The rookie second-round pick is a candidate to secure a key role, but whether that translates to initial fantasy relevance hinges on both his early-season workload and how heavily the team leans on the run amidst its transition at quarterback.
Polk secured all three targets for 14 yards in the Patriots' 17-3 preseason win over the Panthers on Thursday. Polk made his first professional catch for three yards with 4:41 remaining in the first quarter on a pass from Bailey Zappe, going on to add six- and five-yard grabs while playing deep into the second quarter. The second-round pick's debut performance was reminiscent of the consistency he's reportedly shown in training camp practices, and Polk should continue to see ample playing time in Week 2 of preseason against the Eagles next Thursday night.
Polk and fellow rookie and Javon Baker have been "as advertised" through six training camp practices, according to Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site. Lazar notes that Polk, who the Patriots took in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, has been featured out of the gate with other regulars in the team's offense as a reliable underneath target. With Kendrick Bourne recovering from a knee injury that could limit him early on this season, Polk would appear to have a path toward becoming an immediate contributor in New England's passing game as a rookie. Whether that translates to fantasy relevance from the get-go hinges on what sort of volume the Washington product sees in an attack that could lean to the run, but as the season progresses Polk could emerge as key pass-catcher for whichever QB ( Jacoby Brissett or Drake Maye) is behind center.
Polk could secure the Patriots' top receiver spot to open the 2024 regular season if he impresses in training camp, Chad Graff of The Athletic reports. Polk, a rookie second-round pick, didn't begin the offseason working as a starter but has since worked his way up the depth chart, and he was a standout at mandatory minicamp. The Washington product is considered pro-ready as rookie, so though his combine workout numbers didn't strongly impress, he's refined enough to quickly hit the ground running and entrench himself as one of New England's most reliable targets in the passing game, especially if Kendrick Bourne (knee) isn't fully recovered from his ACL tear by Week 1. Graff projects Polk to get a large portion of first-team reps in training camp, so if he can translate that into some preseason momentum, it wouldn't be surprising for him to start the season ahead of Bourne, DeMario Douglas, K.J. Osborn, JuJu Smith-Schuster and rookie fourth-rounder Javon Baker, especially if he can establish chemistry with Jacoby Brissett and Drake Maye. As a pro, Polk may ultimately be more of a possession receiver than a deep target, but he boasts the upside to become one of the most consistent options in the Patriots' air attack.
Polk was one of New England's standouts at June minicamp, according to Phil Perry of NBC Sports. It sounds like he mostly caught passes from Jacoby Brissett, but there was also a rookie-to-rookie connection on the final play of minicamp when Drake Maye hit Polk for a practice-ending touchdown. Polk reportedly has been quick to learn OC Alex Van Pelt's playbook, and Perry suggests that Patriots brass believes the rookie has high-end physical skills (even though his combine workout numbers were mediocre, including a 4.52 40). While many viewed Polk as a draft reach at 37th overall, he's got a nice opportunity to earn immediate playing time in a New England offense where all the WR roles seem up for grabs.