Patriots

5 things to know about Patriots second-round pick Ja’Lynn Polk

He was Field Yates's favorite player to watch in this draft class.

By Khari Thompson

April 26, 2024

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Email
• Email
• 2

After trading down from pick No. 34 to No. 37, the Patriots picked up a pass catcher to pair with Drake Maye.

New England selected Washington wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk in the second round Friday night.

The 6-foot-2, 204-pound receiver caught 69 passes for 1,159 yards and nine touchdowns last season while helping the Huskies reach the College Football Playoff National Championship game last season.

Here are five things to know about the Patriots’ latest draft pick.

He’s already familiar with his new position coach

New England receivers coach Tyler Hughes was an offensive quality control coach on Washington’s staff last year.

Patriots college scouting director Camren Williams said the familiarity with Hughes helped the team feel comfortable making the pick.

“There was definitely a comfortability with Ja’Lynn just given Tyler’s experience with him,” Williams said in a video posted on the team website. “He obviously spoke really highly of him and that’s where we felt comfortable with the person and the player.

“That’s something that we fell in love with along with the tape — his mentality, his growth mindset, his toughness, his work ethic and those are the types of things in discussions that Tyler added context too.”

Patriots are getting a versatile pass-catcher

Williams highlighted Polk’s versatility as a strength. He played alongside first-rounder Rome Odunze and projected third-rounder Jalen McMillan at Washington last year.

“Definitely brings versatility to the game,” Willliams said. “He’s a guy that can played outside and inside, so he’s got some slot to him. I would assume more of a perimeter skill-set, that’s where he makes his money. He can win on the backside, he can play physical inside against smaller corners. He’s kind of a good mismatch option in that way.”

One of the concerns with Polk’s game is his speed, which NFL.com called “slightly below-average” in its scouting report of Polk. He also lacks “suddenness” coming out of breaks as a route runner.

He excels at making tough, contested catches and had strong production during his senior season.

“He runs routes with consistent pace — including through his stems and turns — which can create some freedom,” the scouting report reads. “However, Polk shines once the ball goes up. He can carve out space near the boundary, catch with strong hands when contested and track and finish when he heads deep.

“Polk’s speed proved slightly below average at the NFL Scouting Combine, but his other numbers were strong enough for him to receive consideration starting late on Day 2 of the draft.”

Polk attended the same high school as Dez Bryant

Polk is from Lufkin, Texas and attended Lufkin High School, which is former Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant’s alma mater.

Bryant is a three-time Pro Bowler and was a first-team All-Pro selection in 2014 when he led the league in touchdowns.

Keke Coutee, a receiver who played five NFL seasons after being picked in the fourth round in 2018, is also a Lufkin alum.

He models his game after Keenan Allen

Polk was asked during his introductory press conference which players he models his game after.

He mentioned a pair of receivers who each spent more than a decade in the AFC.

“I watch guys like Andre Johnson and Keenan Allen,” Polk said. “Keenan Allen is one of those guys who made a major factor of who I watch on film. His ability just to make guys miss and go up and keep his balance and get those extra yards, having that certain dog mentality of going to lead his team.”

He was Field Yates’s favorite player to watch in this draft

Consider ESPN insider Field Yates a fan of the pick.

“My favorite player to watch in the entire class – have said that throughout the process,” Yates wrote on X.

Polk was asked what Patriots fans should expect from him.

“They’re getting a beast, man,” Polk said. “A dude that loves football, loves his teammates. Ready to build and be able to come and be a great player and a very electric person and go and win games.”