Ja'Lynn Polk Gets Rave Reviews from NFL Fans as Patriots Draft WR Help for Drake Maye | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors

The New England Patriots began the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft by selecting wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk at No. 37.

After serving as a top target for Michael Penix Jr. at Washington, Polk will now get the chance to catch passes from newly-drafted Patriots quarterback Drake Maye.

Drake Maye @DrakeMaye2

Stud!! Lets work🔥 <a href="">

FOX College Football @CFBONFOX

What a CATCH by Polk 🔥<a href="">@UW_Football</a> <a href="">

Polk made 69 catches for 1,159 receiving yards while recording 10 total touchdowns during his third season with the Huskies.

Ian Rapoport @RapSheet

The <a href="">#Patriots</a> get their big-time WR at No. 37, selecting Washington WR Ja'Lynn Polk.

Jordan Schultz @Schultz_Report

New England loved Ja'Lynn Polk throughout the draft process. Now, they get a big time target for Drake Maye (1100 yards 8 TDs last season) <a href=""> <a href="">

Field Yates @FieldYates

my favorite player to watch in the entire class - have said that throughout the process 🏈

The Patriots initially held the No. 34 pick, but traded down with the Los Angeles Chargers to No. 37. The Chargers used the higher pick to draft Georgie wideout Ladd McConkey.

The Bills also drafted a wide receiver with the No. 33 pick, marking three wide receivers selected in the first five picks of Friday's second round.

That followed record-tying demand for receivers Thursday night, when seven wide receivers were selected in the first round for the second time in NFL history.

Although nine receivers were already off the board by the time the Patriots snagged Polk, analysts projected the former Washington receiver as a good fit with Maye and the Patriots.

Taylor Kyles @tkyles39

Ja'Lynn Polk gained 150+ yards on four routes last season: crossers, hitches, go's, and out-n-ups<br><br>Downfield specialist for a QB in Drake Maye who thrives in that area of the field

Céad Míle Fáilte @ColeyMick

Per <a href="">@PFF</a>, out of all WRs with 50+ targets in CFB last year:<br><br>Ja'Lynn Polk: 8th in deep catches, 10th in deep yards, 16th in contested catches. <br><br>Out of all QBs with 300+ dropbacks: <br><br>Drake Maye: 2nd in deep yards

Doug Kyed @DougKyed

As someone who watched every second of Washington Huskies football that I possibly could last year, new Patriots WR Ja'Lynn Polk helped make Michael Penix Jr.'s life a lot easier. Big and physical. Hauls in contested catches. Can move around the offense. Good player.

Mike Reiss @MikeReiss

ESPN Draft analyst <a href="">@FieldYates</a> had raved about Washington WR Ja'Lynn Polk, the Patriots' pick in the second round (No. 37). <br><br>Here is Yates from the "First Draft" podcast:<br><br>"Spent one year at Texas Tech. Came from the same high school as Dez Bryant. This guy is tough. He makes so…

Connor Rogers @ConnorJRogers

Ja'Lynn Polk is a fearless WR with excellent concentration and a great blocker. I really like the pairing of him and Drake Maye together - their strengths match

Matt Hicks @TheFF_Educator

Ja'Lynn Polk to the Pats, Pick 37<br><br>Sure-handed, quick and fluid athlete with some vertical ability, nice release off line of scrimmage<br><br>Well-rounded weapon for Drake Maye. Not the flashiest pick but would compliment a WR1 if they were planning on trading for one *cough cough*

Diante Lee @DianteLeeFB

I love Ja'Lynn Polk. Tough, ball winner in the MOF, will attack at the catch point, and I think he will compete hard as a blocker. New England actually got a receiver with use outside of special teams!

Roman Tomashoff @rtomashoff34

Story time… I asked JaMarcus Shephard at the Sugar Bowl what the best NFL fit would be for each of his receivers. When we got to Ja'Lynn Polk, he looked at me, gave a deep, sarcastic sigh and said, "your New England Patriots"

Some speculated Polk could eventually slot into the Patriots lineup as a WR1.

Chase Daniel @ChaseDaniel

10 WR's in the first 37 picks of the draft is absolutely bonkers. <br><br>New England Patriots… you will love Ja'Lynn Polk. He becomes your #1 WR the second he gets into the building.

Polk recorded more than 1,000 yards in his final college season despite playing alongside other NFL-caliber receivers in the room with Rome Odunze and Jalen McMillan.

Being able to succeed among that competition will serve him well as he looks to establish himself on a rebuilding Patriots team this fall.

Now the Patriots will turn to finding more help for Maye later in the draft. New England is next slated to pick in the fourth round at No. 68.