@@New England Patriots

[Lazar] The #Patriots draft WR Ja’Lynn Polk with the 37th overall pick. My 24th-ranked player on my big board. Here is the full write up.

  • April 26, 2024


[Lazar] The #Patriots draft WR Ja’Lynn Polk with the 37th overall pick. My 24th-ranked player on my big board. Here is the full write up.

48 comments

  5. I love Polk, was hoping he’d be available at the back end of the round but you don’t know whether other teams in the league like him more than that.

    Stoked to get him here.

  7. I’m so burned from Parker, every time I hear contested pass catcher with not a ton of separation…. 😬

  8. I only ever seen this guy ranked in the 3rd round… The ghost of Belichick reaching for guys in early rounds.

  9. Seems like a reach there tbh. I know most ppl wanted AD but he seems very boom or bust. Would’ve preferred Troy Franklin tbh

  11. Couldn’t they have had Mitchell? They must LOVE this guy. Just have absolutely 0 faith in their ability to evaluate that position.

  13. If we trade up for Kingsley later in the second, I’ll be very happy with this class.

  15. Seems Wolf is keeping the BB tradition of blindside picks out of leftfield for the second round.

  21. Love Polk. Would have liked Adonai but if they like Polk more, then can’t complain. He obviously would not have been around when they pick next 

  22. this is cool, but with mitchell on the board i’m really not sure about this. his medicals or interviews must’ve been horrible for this to happen

  24. Oh god his scouting report says he’s good at 50/50 balls…but apparently he’s fast too so uhh 

  26. I like it. I liked Franklin more and Adonis Mitchell clearly has the talent, but is freefalling for what’s likely a decent reason, but Polk is a good player and should hopefully become what Parker was supposed to be.

    Per Bob McGinn’s NFL scout survey:

    **JA’LYNN POLK, Washington (6-1 ½, 204, 4.45, 3):** Caught 28 passes as a true freshman at Texas Tech in 2020 before moving on to Washington from 2021-’23. “Smart, tough, great body control,” one scout said. “Really, really good hands. Good speed, not elite. But he knows how to play the game.” Made clutch catches as the Huskies’ No. 2 threat behind Rome Odunze. “Very physical,” said a second scout. “He’s almost like Jarvis Landry. He’s that competitive. I love the (bleep) out of him.” Caught 143 passes for 2,231 (15.6) and eight TDs. “I like him as a fourth-fifth receiver and special-teams player with low-end starter’s upside maybe in a couple years,” a third scout said. “If he’s on your team he’s active on game day. He can play inside and outside. Outstanding contested catch catcher. He’s a dog and will be good on special teams.” From Lufkin, Texas. “I didn’t see him win a lot on his own,” a fourth scout said. “I saw a lot of the offense schemed up for him. He’s a Day 2 player but there are questions about his route running, his ability to separate and his ability to win against press coverage.”

  27. Would have preferred AD or Ladd, but reminder that GB has been incredible at hitting on receivers in the 2nd

  28. This kid is a fucking animal. He dominated against the #3 team in the country. Huge fan.

  31. Not a massive fan. Should be a player in the league but feels like a guy who is going to be a pretty ordinary 2/3. Some guys with more upside there with floors that I don’t think are a whole lot lower. Similar profile to what we already have on the roster.

    Seems like the NFL is less into AD Mitchell than outside sources are and passing on him is fine, but I would have preferred OL and receiver later over taking Polk if we weren’t in on Mitchell. Would have been fine staying home and taking McConkey over this too.

    Would love to be wrong obviously.

  34. I’m optimistic. The people saying he doesn’t get separation and just relies on contested catches are wrong

  35. Dude reminds me of Malcolm Mitchell a lot.. I really wish we picked up Ladd, but I can sell myself on him. He’s not your WR1 tho

  36. Welp, I didn’t care for Polk over the other options, but he is a patriot now so I now wanted him all along!

  37. Watched this guy at UW. Great hands and seemed to always be open when Penix needed him. Not the pick I was expecting but I’m excited he’s a Patriot.

  38. For those who don’t like him, go watch games and don’t base your opinion off a single 40 yard dash that means nothing. He had 69 catches for 1159 yards in 13 games

  40. Most detailed draft profile I’ve seen yet is from TheRinger. Basically, he does absolutely everything well, runs good routes, gets good seperation, and maybe best in the class at actually catching it. But oh noes the 40 time:

    SCOUTING REPORT BY DANNY KELLY

    Polk is a flexible athlete with a good-sized frame and long arms. He’s smooth off the line, easily discarding press coverage with quick footwork and savvy swipes. He’s quick as a route runner, showing the ability to create separation with sharp cuts and stop-start acceleration. He nods and shoulder shimmies at his route stem to throw defenders off him. He tracks the ball over his shoulder effortlessly and creates separation as the ball is arriving. He has a great catch radius, consistently reaching low to snag a pass off the turf or sky up into the air to bring it down. Polk elevates to bring in off-target throws and holds on to the ball through contact (with 13 contested catches in 2023, tied for 153th nationally). He has great body control in the air, bending and twisting to adjust to the pass. He plays outside and in the slot and can make plays at all three levels of the field. Polk is a feisty blocker and is willing to crack down on the line to spring a run to the outside.

    Polk is quick in the short area but lacks an extra gear to really run away from a defense. That may limit his ability to be a consistent deep threat at the next level. He’ll occasionally get thrown off his route or slowed down by physical coverage.
    WHY HE COULD RISE

    Polk is a quick-footed route runner with excellent body control and the strong hands to make a tough catch for an offense; he has the versatile skill set to be an early contributor.
    WHY HE COULD FALL

    He lacks high-end speed, and his upside may be limited to that of a no. 2 receiver.

  41. Apparently Mitchell’s visits didn’t all go well according to the hosts of the draft coverage, combine that with rumored character issues and it’s no wonder why he slid so far down.

  42. Inexperienced front office/coaching staff reaching for a late second/early third round WR at 37 isn’t ideal. Don’t particularly like his measurable either (4.52 40) at 6-1, 203. Makes you wonder who was stacking the wide receiver board under BB.

  46. After N’keal and Devonte, I’m a bit scared of receivers whose skills are being physical, catching contested passes, etc

  47. Adonai Mitchell got that WR complex where he is good and he knows he’s good. Patriots hate drafting guys like that cuz you have to pay them #1 WR money.

  48. Love this pick, especially as it matches up with Maye and his sometimes erratic throws. Polk had strong hands and an insane catch radius. Maye can put it in arms reach and this guy can make it happen

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