The New England Patriots are entering a new era led by Mike Vrabel and Drake Maye. They have already made significant additions to their roster. However, Vrabel could be open to moving on from some players who preceded him.
Ja’Lynn Polk was the 37th overall pick by the Patriots last season. However, the second-rounder severely underperformed as a rookie. NBC Sports’ Patriots insider Tom E. Curran noted that the team could actually cut him this offseason.
“The 37th overall pick last year was quite possibly the worst wideout in football last year,” wrote Curran. “He had 10 catches on 27 targets for 78 yards when The Athletic suggested in November that he looked like a bust. From there, Polk went on to catch two more balls. He was thrown six. He gained nine yards. Polk was actually useful in training camp. He looked like he could play. He carried himself like he could play. He couldn’t play. It’s hard to cut a second-rounder after one season. But it’s not impossible.”
Polk finished the season with 87 total yards in 15 games, seven of which he started. The Patriots signed Stefon Diggs this offseason and figure to draft a receiver early in the draft again this year. Polk could get buried on the depth chart, and the team may think it’s better to cut him loose.
In college, Polk had 1,159 receiving yards as a senior and nine touchdowns. However, his production has not translated into the NFL. The Patriots will be trying to get into the playoffs in Maye’s second season, and he will need reliable weapons to do that.
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It’s hard to imagine Polk getting opportunities next season after his poor rookie season, especially if the Patriots add more young receivers through the draft.
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