The New England Patriots’ wide receiver corps will be one to watch this offseason. It is a crowded group, and some tough decisions could be made to get the roster down to 53 players.
The Patriots added Stefon Diggs, Mack Hollins and Kyle Williams this offseason. Their receiver corps features those three plus Kayshon Boutte, Ja’Lynn Polk, Demario Douglas, Kendrick Bourne and Javon Baker. The Patriots are not going to take eight receivers into the season, and FanSided’s Graham Wilker tabbed Ja’Lynn Polk as a player on the chopping block.
“Looking at Polk’s production last season, it shouldn’t be a shock that he’s on this list. Given his draft position, though, his being in an iffy spot about a year after being taken 37th overall would come as a major shock,” wrote Wilker. “Polk is fighting a major uphill battle to make the team.”
Polk had just 87 yards in 15 games as a rookie. The second-round pick did not impress, but many would think that since the Patriots spent a top 50 pick on him, his spot on the team would be safe. However, this is a new Patriots coaching staff, and they may not see Polk as an asset. He simply did not live up to the player he was at the University of Washington in his first year.
Polk had over 1,800 yards and 15 touchdowns in his final two seasons in college. The Patriots had hoped he could become a reliable weapon for Drake Maye, but clearly, he did not. He is not the only Patriots receiver on the chopping block, but he will need to put together a great offseason if he wants to find a spot on the team.
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The Patriots spent a third-round pick on Kyle Williams, who could end up becoming a solid player. The Patriots would not have spent a pick on a receiver if they felt confident in Polk to bounce back and become a threat next to Diggs.
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