3 Patriots on the Chopping Block With Josh McDaniels as Offensive Coordinator
In his article earlier in the month, my colleague Devon Platana mentioned some Patriots players on thin ice after serious performance concerns last season. Last week’s re-hiring of offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels further increases the spotlight on these three offensive players.
1. Ja'Lynn Polk
Ja'Lynn Polk had a dominant 2023 season at the University of Washington. As the program’s number-two receiver, Polk played in all 15 games and caught 69 passes for 1,159 yards. Polk’s yards total was the sixth most in school history. As a result, the receiver-needy Patriots selected Polk with their second-round selection in the 2024 NFL draft, and received some rave reviews for said selection:
"Overall, Polk must continue developing as a route runner, but he is [a] natural athlete addressing the football, with three-level instincts and pro-level toughness," wrote Dane Brugler in "The Beast". "A potential NFL starter, his game is reminiscent of Josh Palmer's when he was coming out of Tennessee."
- Dane Brugler, "The Beast"
"He definitely brings versatility to the game, he's a guy that played inside and outside, I'd assume more of a perimeter skillset, he's kind of a good mismatch option that way," Cam Williams told Patriots Unfiltered after the pick."
- Cam Williams
A year into his career, Polk has a lot of work to do before he lives up to his high draft status. As a rookie, Polk played in 15 games and only had 12 catches while being targeted 33 times.
To make matters even worse, the Patriots had Polk so high on their draft board that they traded down in the draft with the Los Angeles Chargers to select him. Had the Pats stayed with their 34th pick, the team could have chosen rookie sensation Ladd McConkey, who in his first season with Los Angeles led the AFC’s No. 5 seed in receiving with 82 receptions, 1,149 yards, and 7 touchdowns.
Polk’s chances of having a role in New England are dwindling. While the returning McDaniels won’t have the G.O.A.T at quarterback, he does have Drake Maye, who has the potential to be a top-7 quarterback in his own right. And McDaniels needs to surround Maye with receivers who will catch the ball. Time is ticking for Polk, and he has to make a great impression with his new OC, or else he may not be on the team come next season.