One of the worst New England Patriots draft choices of recent memory has abruptly retired.
Sep 8, 2024; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Dax Hill (23) brings down New England Patriots wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk (1) in the second half at Paycor Stadium.
© Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
The New England Patriots‘ return to relevance has been fueled in large part by some key additions in the NFL Draft.
You wouldn’t come to expect anything different. But in the period between the end of the Tom Brady era and 2025, things got ugly for the Patriots. And much of that was fueled by poor selections in the NFL Draft. One such player in particular shocked his new team with an abrupt retirement at the age of 24 on Sunday. Former Patriots draft bust Ja’Lynn Polk is hanging it up.
Former New England Patriots draft choice Ja’Lynn Polk retires at the age of 24
The Patriots made Polk the 37th overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft out of Washington. During his rookie season in New England, Polk played in 15 games but caught just 12 passes for 87 yards on 33 targets. He played a total 436 offensive snaps during that rookie season, which was considered a colossal disappointment. By early 2025, he was on injured reserve and traded to the New Orleans Saints as a part of a pick swap involving 6th and 7th round draft choices.
He, ultimately, never played a down for New Orleans and has now retired. Per Saints reporter Nick Underhill, health was not a factor. “Polk was healthy and happy with his role,” wrote Underhill. “He just decided the best path forward for himself was to step away.”
It’s about as disappointing of a run as you could have crafted, going from a top-40 draft pick to retired in 30 months. The Patriots were supposed to get a player to pair with QB Drake Maye, their first pick from that class, in Polk. Instead, he becomes the first to formally hang them up in a list of picks that will make you queasy to look back on.
The full New England Patriots’ 2024 NFL Draft class:
QB Drake Maye – 3rd overall
WR Ja’Lynn Polk – 37th overall (Retired)
OL Caedan Wallace – 68th overall
OG Layden Robinson – 103rd overall
WR Javon Baker – 110th overall
DB Marcellas Dial – 180th overall
QB Joe Milton – 193rd overall
TE Jaheim Bell – 231st ovearll
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