New England Patriots rookie wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk is just inches away from the start of his NFL career going in a different direction.
Such is the NFL as Polk was just a heel short of coming up with a game-winning touchdown vs the Miami Dolphins back in Week 5. Had he made that reception, would that have sparked confidence in the young receiver who has struggled to live up to the promise of a second-round pick.
With the recent release of former second-round pick Tyquan Thornton after just three seasons in a Patriots’ uniform, it is hard not to think bust when it comes to Polk. Not only have there been the dropped passes, but the off-the-field battle with the media that is highlighting those struggled.
Still, there is hope for the University of Washington product who is known for his toughness on the field. In the team’s Week 10 win over the Chicago Bears, Polk caught a touchdown reception from Drake Maye that might just be the catalyst of getting the rookie receiver back on track. The team will give him every opportunity to do just that with the release of Thornton and veteran receiver Kendrick Bourne taking a back seat so the young receivers can develop.
Ja’Lynn Polk just needs one breakout performance
With just 10 receptions for 78 yards and a touchdown, that one touchdown catch against the Bears may be the start of Polk finally finding his niche and confidence in the Patriots’ offense. Will that start against in Week 11 against a Los Angeles Rams team that has been struggling against the pass?
He will his opportunity and a chance to show fans he is not the next N’Keal Harry or Thorton, the last two high round picks that didn’t work out for the Patriots. To do that, he must do his talking on the field, ignore the noise, and focus on the confidence his coach and teammates have in him.
"I just feel like the media kind of mix up our words and try to put things in place that is not," said Polk, via ABC6’s Ian Steele. "Coach Mayo is just holding me to a standard. Whenever he speaks about me, I believe he's holding me to a standard. He believes in me, so I just got to keep pushing, getting better each and every day and doing what I'm supposed to do."
The NFL is a game of lessons and patience for young players. What will define Polk going forward is whether he can change directions and travel the road of success or stay on track on the road that will lead him to becoming the next draft bust for the Patriots. The talent and skillset are there…now it’s time for the 2024 NFL Draft second-round pick to become a factor.