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A little over a week ago, the Patriots' director of scouting, Eliot Wolf, conducted his pre-draft press conference. When asked about his wide receiver room, Wolf admitted something about that group the previous regime was unwilling to make.
"Do we have players that, on a three-by-one, can beat the backside coverage every single time? I'm not sure if we have that just yet."
Wolf hopes he just acquired that player, drafting University of Washington wideout Ja'Lynn Polk in the second round.
"Had our eye on him for a while," said Wolf. "Really good fit in our offense. He's really tough. Strong. Can run all the routes, play inside, outside. He's a good blocker. Really competitive - both for the ball in the air and as a run-after-catch player. Kind of a versatile do-everything type guy. He ran a little bit faster than a lot of people expected but when you turn the tape on, you see him running by people."
Polk (6'1", 203 lbs) is one of the premier "Go up and get it" guys in this draft, reeling in 69 catches this past season for 1,159 yards and nine touchdowns. He has big hands, and while he could improve some of his work in crowded environments, he is excellent at contorting his body to catch the ball.
You want to draft someone outside of the first round who attacks the ball at the catch point and has strong mitts? Ja'Lynn Polk from Washington is that guy. pic.twitter.com/i47e0A8oEn
— Mike Giardi (@MikeGiardi) March 22, 2024
Polk was considered a late riser, but his selection here is not surprising to those who scouted him.
"He can attack and succeed at all three levels," said an AFC scout. "Ja'Lynn tracks the ball well and is a QB's best friend on bad balls. We talk about the kind of year (Michael) Penix had, but his receivers really helped him elevate."
The 22-year-old is not perfect by any stretch. His route running needs to be refined, and he's not the twitchest player in this WR class (also ran a 4.52 40). But as that scout noted, Polk is "a worker and a competitor. He gets after defensive backs and will do the dirty work. You won't ever have to worry about his effort-level."
Polk will join a roster that lacks that true "X" receiver. While he has experience moving across the formation (and who doesn't love a little versatility?), it would appear his best opportunity to impact the 2024-25 Patriots will be as an outside receiver.
"I think being an elite player, you got to be able to know how to move around," he said from his home in Houston, Texas Friday night. "I think it's my job to know as much as I can, to go out there and make plays for those guys that are putting in work each and every play. ... You can trust me, and trust that I'm gonna be able to know what I'm gonna do."
True to Pats form, the Polk pick didn't come without some maneuvering. They traded back with the Chargers and, in doing so, went from #34 to #37 in round two. Wolf also flipped pick #137 for LA's fourth-rounder, #110 overall, giving the organization more power in this draft should they decide to move up from the pick at the top of the third round (#68).
BSJ ANALYSIS
- Polk has been called a poor man's Rome Odunze, his teammate at Washington who went 9th overall to the Bears. He's not as good a separator, but both are big, tough guys who fight for the football. I can't help but see Devante Parker getting bulled out of routes this past season (think week 2 vs Miami) and not think that this kid's willingness to fight through that contact will benefit whoever is playing quarterback.
- There is a connection to the Pats. New assistant wide receiver coach Tyler Hughes was a quality control coach on offense at Washington this past season.
More must-reads:
- Fantasy expert offers blunt take on Eagles RB Will Shipley
- ESPN analyst offers incredibly bold Jets prediction for 2024 season
- The 'Super Bowl starting QBs' quiz
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