Before the New England Patriots made Ja’Lynn Polk a second-round pick during the 2024 NFL Draft, the Washington Huskies wide receiver returned to Lufkin High School in Lufkin, Texas, to speak with current student-athletes about the next step of his playing career.
"He told the kids, 'Mark it down, I will win a Super Bowl and I will be All-Pro,'" Lufkin football head coach Todd Quick said about Polk's visit while speaking with Keagan Stiefel of NESN. "His goals are lofty, but they’re goals he can reach."
New England selected quarterback Drake Maye with the third overall pick and later grabbed receiver Javon Baker in the fourth round. Over the weekend, Mike Reiss of ESPN noted how former Patriots receiver and Super Bowl XXXIX Most Valuable Player Deion Branch explained how "it's super valuable" for New England to have Polk, Maye and Baker develop together from springtime workouts through at least the first few seasons of their pro careers.
While Polk built his reputation with Washington, he previously featured for the Texas Tech Red Raiders and played under wide receivers coach Joel Filani. During a chat with Stiefel, Filani compared Polk to two of the NFL's best players at the position.
"He’s just so strong and can control his body," Filani said about Polk. "He can separate enough to where he can make contested catches but give the quarterback an opportunity to get him the ball. I know he wants to be a No. 1. He’s working toward that, and there’s only so many Justin Jeffersons and Ja’Marr Chases, but you talk about a guy like Stefon Diggs — these guys are unwilling to not be the top guy. I see him competing for the top spot, and I think he’ll attack that and take it."
The Patriots currently lack a proven No. 1 receiver and seemingly aren't in a hurry to trade for a big-name target ahead of training camp. It's unclear if Maye or veteran Jacoby Brissett will begin the upcoming season as New England's QB1, but Polk should receive plenty of opportunities to build chemistry with both signal-callers over the next several months.
