Patriots sign second-round WR, complete rookie deals

The Patriots have signed receiver Ja’Lynn Polk to his rookie deal, per a team announcement. As a result, each member of the team’s draft class has been signed ahead of the break leading up to training camp. Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 adds this pact includes a $3.87M signing bonus.

To no surprise, New England used the No. 3 pick to add a potential franchise quarterback. Drake Maye is in line to handle starting duties at some point relatively soon, but the caliber of the pass-catching options around him has drawn questions. Free agency saw the Patriots pursue Calvin Ridley, but the team’s most notable addition was K.J. Osborn.

The former Viking will be joined by veterans JuJu Smith-Schuster and Kendrick Bourne in New England’s receiver corps. That unit also features recent draftees Tyquan Thornton, Kayshon Boutte and Demario Douglas, and Polk will look to carve out an early role. The latter began his college career at Texas Tech before transferring to Washington in 2021. He had a limited impact during his first Huskies season, but his production jumped considerably after that.

In 2022, Polk posted a 41-694-6 statline, establishing himself as an impactful member of the team’s deep receiver room. That continued this past season while he played alongside Rome Odunze and Jalen McMillan as the Huskies went to the national title game. Polk recorded 1,159 yards and nine touchdowns on 69 catches, proving himself to be a sure-handed option in the intermediate game in particular. The 6-foot-1, 203-pounder came off the board early on Day 2, joining Odunze (first round, Bears) and McMillan (third round, Buccaneers) as Washington products who will face high expectations upon entry into the NFL.

New England struggled in a number of offensive categories last year, ranking 28th in passing yards. The addition of Polk and fellow rookie Javon Baker could give the team new options in an offense which has seen a number of moves made on the field and the sidelines this offseason as all parties aim to take a needed step forward in 2024.

Here is a full breakdown of the Patriots’ draft class:

• Round 1, No. 3: Drake Maye (QB, UNC) (signed)
• Round 2, No. 37 (via Chargers): Ja’Lynn Polk (WR, Washington) (signed)
• Round 3, No. 68: Caeden Wallace (T, Penn State) (signed)
• Round 4, No. 103: Layden Robinson (G, Texas A&M) (signed)
• Round 5, No. 110 (from Bears through Chargers): Javon Baker (WR, UCF) (signed)
• Round 6, No. 180: Marcellas Dial (CB, South Carolina) (signed)
• Round 6, No. 193 (from Jaguars): Joe Milton III (QB, Tennessee) (signed)
• Round 7, No. 231 (from Bears): Jaheim Bell (TE, Florida State) (signed)