If there is one position that the New England Patriots need to figure out and fix the most, it would be the gap at wide receiver.
Lacking a No. 1 option has haunted them ever since Julian Edelman was on his way out after the 2021 season, and things have yet to improve… until now.
With a new coaching staff that was ready to make a splash leading up to the 2024 season, the Patriots draft looked a lot different than in years past. Instead of a more defensive focus by a coach like Bill Belichick, general manager Eliot Wolf, and new head coach Jerod Mayo went out determined to improve the offense by taking the best guys available for the job.
The Patriots began early on draft day with a bang, securing UNC quarterback Drake Maye at third overall in hopes that he would become the next franchise success story.
While Maye had shown a lot of promise and success during his college career, they still needed a wide receiver to build on his skill and help the team win football games.
Here are the two rookie wide receivers ready to make a difference in New England.
Rookie Receivers Ready to Make a Difference
Ja’Lynn Polk, Washington
With the 37th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Patriots selected Ja’Lynn Polk, University of Washington.
The 6’1″ 203-pound receiver left Washington with an incredible college career to look back on, recording 1,122 yards on 65 receptions with nine receiving touchdowns to show for it during the 2023 season.
Polk’s ability to go up for a contested ball in the air appears almost effortless for the 22-year-old; he has some of the best hands in the entire draft class. His aggressive play style is one that NFL defenses should be afraid of, and his catching techniques and strong hands only make him scarier.
Because of his long 74½” wingspan, attacking the ball at its highest point is Polk’s specialty, proving time and time again that he is able to dunk on defensive backs down the field and into the red zone.
Pro Comparison: Mohamed Sanu
While Polk may not be fully ready to take over an NFL No. 1 wide receiver position, his skills on display with Michael Penix Jr. at Washington were unbelievably promising, leaving it easy to see already that he can become a reliable high-level contributor for a Patriots team in need of a young star.
Javon Baker, UCF
With the 110th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Patriots selected Javon Baker, UCF.
Averaging an explosive 21.9 yards per catch during his final year at UCF, Baker has shown early promise that he could shape into a skilled downfield wide receiver in the NFL. This is the type of guy that can turn five yards into 10 consistently and with ease.
1,139 yards on 52 catches with seven touchdowns is definitely something to be proud of for the also 22-year-old, and while he may lack some acceleration to get downfield, he makes up for it with his elite ball tracking.
Baker finds the ball impressively well on the move, showing that he can keep calm and keep his eyes on the ball while making flashy yet clean catches over the shoulder.
The best part about Baker’s skillset is the potential that he shows in the route running game. While he already runs routes with enough quickness to keep the defensive backs off balance downfield, there is still work to be done when he is being pressed at the line early. At UCF, he occasionally showed his susceptibility to defensive backs running him into the sideline, never giving him the chance to break out and run.
Baker may not necessarily be NFL-ready just yet, but once he is able to really train with the Patriots’ coaching staff and focus on his flaws, he should be able to secure a spot on the depth chart in no time.
Pro Comparison: Kendrick Bourne
College career and playing abilities aside, it is notable to add that Baker also said this on draft night:
“Just come to the home stadium and bring y’all popcorn. That’s all I can tell y’all. Bring your popcorn. I make people in wheelchairs stand up.”
Pats fans, let’s hope he is right. This is a player who will bring swagger and youth to a team that needs it most; this is a new era of Patriots football.
Main Image: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
