New England Patriots - NESN.com
The New England Patriots need to find production on the outside.
Last season, the team ranked last in the league in total receiving yards. Almost half of the yards were to tight ends and running backs, with receivers accounting for about 53% of the total production. Hunter Henry led the team with 674 receiving yards.
The team invested at receiver in the 2024 draft, selecting Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker in the second and fourth rounds, respectively. Neither player contributed much; Polk had just 12 receptions on 33 targets, and Baker managed just one catch.
Polk, in particular, has been the subject of much criticism due to being a second-round pick. On Friday, he posted an Instagram story with a three-word message for his haters.
“Count me out.”
Many are counting Polk out for the 2025 season. They might not be wrong to do so. It will be an uphill battle for Polk to find playing time. The Patriots brought in two free-agent receivers in Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins. They used a third-round pick on Kyle Williams, and still have Kendrick Bourne, Demario Douglas and Kayshon Boutte on the roster. Efton Chism III has also received early offseason praise as an undrafted free agent.
In Sophie Weller’s latest roster projection, she predicts that Polk will be left off the roster. With most teams keeping five or six receivers, he’ll truly need to stand out in preseason to make the team.
If Polk is cut, he’ll likely find a home on another team or, at the very least, a practice squad due to his prospect pedigree. He’s in just his second year and won’t be completely cast off just yet.
Polk is daring people to count him out. For his Patriots tenure, it’s time to put up or shut up.
