Ja'Lynn Polk

Ja'Lynn Polk emerged as a key player at Washington, particularly impressing during his junior year. Standing at 6'1" and weighing 203 lbs, Polk's physique is ideal for versatility, allowing him to excel both outside and in the slot. After overcoming an injury in his sophomore year, he delivered a stellar senior season with 69 receptions for 1,159 yards and nine touchdowns, averaging 16.8 yards per catch. Known for his quickness, strong hands, and excellent body control, Polk consistently makes difficult catches in traffic, showcasing his well-rounded skills. Drawing comparisons to NFL players like Mohamed Sanu, Tyler Boyd, and Joshua Palmer, Polk is considered a safe, reliable receiver. Selected in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft by the Patriots, he is poised to become a dependable part of their passing game.

Polk has the look of a big slot at the NFL level. He played in the slot on 37.3-41.1% over the last two seasons while drawing 43.5% of his target volume via the slot in 2023. He needs to continue to refine his releases and route running. Polk faced off coverage or was schemed with off coverage looks off the line with motion or bunch formations. His feet can get away from him at the top of his stem or off the line. He has to increase the efficiency of his movements at these points in his routes. Polk has an average burst, which shows up in his routes consistently, with corners able to hang with him without issues. It's especially noticeable when tasked with out-and-ups, as corners don't bite. He's not the most dynamic or twitchy player in space, with only 5.2 yards after the catch per reception in college. He was able to force 15 missed tackles in 2023, many of them as a result of his strong base or his upper body strength. Polk is a clasher during this routes and at the catch point. He does a fair job of creating late separation, but he usually has company at the catch point. This is where his strong hands show up. Polk has no problems corralling passes outside of his frame or in traffic. He has only a 5.3% drop rate in college and has secured at least 53.3% of his contested targets over the last two seasons. Dynasty Outlook: Polk's selection in the second round of the NFL Draft by the Patriots was one of the most head scratching picks of the draft. Polk will be selected in the second round of rookie drafts, but I won't consider him on my board until round three. Polk should serve as a solid underneath weapon for Drake Maye, but I don't see a high ceiling here. I'd rather take the home run swings on other players than try to hit a ground rule double with Polk.