The Patriots have done a great job of retooling their entire team under new head coach Mike Vrabel this offseason following back-to-back seasons finishing 4-13.
One of the first decisions Vrabel made was hiring Josh McDaniels to his coaching staff, reprising his role as offensive coordinator of the Patriots for the third stint in his career. As OC, McDaniels will have full control of the offense with a strong input on the personnel he wants.
With a new and improved wide receiver room this season, New England added necessary talent and upgraded the position overall from last season for second-year quarterback Drake Maye to have in his arsenal.
- Stefon Diggs
- Mack Hollins
- DeMario Douglas
- Kayshon Boutte
- Kendrick Bourne
- Ja’Lynn Polk
- Javon Baker
- Kyle Williams
- Efton Chism III
- DeMeer Blankumsee
- Jon Jiles
- Jeremiah Webb
Ja'Lynn Polk May Be the Odd Man Out in Patriots' Crowded WR Room
One of the receivers that’s on the outside looking in is Ja’Lynn Polk. After being drafted 37th overall in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, Polk has been underwhelming and quite disappointing when he’s been on the field in his one season in New England.
Polk finished with 12 receptions for 87 yards and two touchdowns in 15 games. He received at least one target in 13 games, including as many as six or seven targets, but he never made more than three receptions in a game. He also only made a catch in eight games.
The second-year wide receiver had a limited spring during OTAs and mandatory minicamp after having offseason shoulder surgery, which makes him a candidate to start this season on the PUP list. He was injured during Week 17 against the Chargers and didn’t play in the final game of the season as a result of it.
Polk still has much to prove to this new coaching staff that doesn’t have any connections attached to him. The only person with strings attached to Polk is GM Eliot Wolf, who ultimately made the decision to draft him last year.
In 2024, Polk was utilized out wide more than I was expecting to see when looking back on some of his tape from last season. He’s able to create space for himself right off the line of scrimmage and with his route-running concepts.
The film shows that Polk has strong hands and can make contested catches. A game that I’m reminded of is Week 4 at San Francisco, where Polk made an impressive turnaround catch on the sideline against tight coverage from Deommodore Lenoir on a pass from Jacoby Brissett.
#Patriots WR Ja’Lynn Polk didn’t have a great rookie season, but he does have great hands and catch-ability and can run routes well. I think with the right coaching, he can have a productive year two if he can make the roster. He has a lot to show this new coaching staff. pic.twitter.com/cB524i7bD6
— Justin Trombino (@Trombino20) June 15, 2025
Polk will need to show McDaniels that he’s capable of operating in his offense for him to even make the roster this season. The only thing that he has going for him, besides Wolf targeting him, is that he was a second-round pick just one year ago. Perhaps in a more organized system, Polk will thrive with McDaniels calling the plays.
Polk has the talent, but he needs to show this new coaching staff what he can bring to the table for the Patriots this season. He’ll need to have a strong showing in training camp to do so.
It’s worth mentioning that the Patriots are only expected to keep six or seven of the 12 receivers that are currently on the roster.