The second-round draft pick caught only 12 passes in his first NFL season.
The New England Patriots knew they needed to upgrade at wide receiver in 2024, and they attempted to do so by investing two draft picks in the position. However, neither Ja’Lynn Polk nor Javon Baker made much of a difference for the team during their rookie campaigns.
Fourth-rounder Baker caught just one pass all season, and as a depth option was practically redshirted in his first NFL season. Polk, on the other hand, finished with 12 receptions for 87 yards and a couple of touchdowns — despite getting plenty of opportunity early on.
That usage, however, might have contributed to his struggles down the stretch as Patriots EVP of player personnel Eliot Wolf explained on Wednesday.
“I hate to use this analogy, but you know in The Dark Night when it’s ‘The hero you need isn’t the hero that you have?’ He was a young player that came in and he’s mature, he’s smart. I think organizationally, we maybe put too much on his plate early,” Wolf said during a press conference at the NFL Scouting Combine.
“I think that really kind of stunted his growth a little bit. He’s aware of that, and we’ve talked about it.”
Following a short trade-down with the Los Angeles Chargers, who eventually selected 1,000-yard receiver Ladd McConkey, the Patriots picked Polk 37th overall in last year’s draft. The hope was that he would add a sure-handed and positionally flexible pass catcher to complement the likes of DeMario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte and a rehabbing Kendrick Bourne.
In training camp, he proved to be just that and earned regular reps with the starting offense. However, that did not translate to in-season success: even though the team increased his snaps every week over the first quarter of the season, he failed to prove himself worthy of such a hefty workload.
After peaking at a 100 percent playing time share in Week 5 but catching only one of six targets, he was demoted to more of a rotational role. Over the Patriots’ final 12 games, Polk’s involvement was therefore limited.
He averaged 22 snaps per game, missed two contests with injury, and ended up going just 3-of-14 in his targets for 13 yards and a score. Polk eventually ended the season on injured reserve with a shoulder ailment.
Heading into his sophomore year under a new-look coaching staff, the 22-year-old is now under pressure to perform. The Patriots are expected to continue investing in their receiving corps, potentially creating a logjam at the position and making it even more difficult for Polk to earn playing time.
According to Wolf, however, he is willing to meet that challenge.
“He’s going to continue to work hard and rehab,” he said, “and do the things that are necessary to improve.”