After landing North Carolina QB Drake Maye at No. 3 overall in Round 1 of the NFL Draft, the New England Patriots were already feeling good about their 2024 draft class. They wasted no time on Day 2 finding their new QB some help on offense. After making a trade to drop from No. 34 to No. 37 in Round 2, the Patriots selected Washington wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk.
Polk was ranked as the No. 14 wide receiver in the draft by Patriots Football Now.
College Career
Ja’Lynn Polk was part of a Washington Huskies wide receiver group that included Rome Odunze (No. 9 pick to Chicago) and Jalen McMillan (Day 2 prospect).
Polk played one season for Texas Tech before transferring to Washington. He improved in all three seasons with the Huskies. By 2023 Polk had become incredibly productive. He finished the season with 69 receptions for 1,159 yards and nine touchdowns. He helped the Huskies advance to the National Championship Game.
Future in New England
The New England Patriots had indicated a desire to add to their wide receiver room and they have now done just that. Ja’Lynn Polk joins a group that includes Kendrick Bourne, DeMario Douglas, KJ Osborn, Tyquan Thornton, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Kayshon Boutte, Jalen Reagon, T.J. Luther, and Kawaan Baker.
Ja’Lynn Polk played in both the slot and on the outside in college. His versatility likely made him an attractive target to the New England Patriots. He stands 6-foot-1 and weighed 203 pounds at the NFL Scouting Combine. He ran a 4.52 40-yard dash. The expectations will be for Polk to contribute immediately, given his high draft position. And eventually Eliot Wolf and company hopes he can team up with Drake Maye for years to come.
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