This part of Ja’Lynn Polk’s skill set has impressed Jerod Mayo. Originally appeared in NBC Sports Boston
The New England Patriots haven’t drafted a wide receiver who has racked up more than 1,000 yards in a single season for the team since Julian Edelman, who was selected in the seventh round of the 2009 draft after playing quarterback at Kent State.
The Patriots have been trying for more than a decade to draft and develop a No. 1 or No. 2 wide receiver. Although it’s only the preseason, there are reasons to be optimistic about rookie wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk.
Polk, the Patriots’ second-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft (No. 37 overall), was one of the team’s best offensive players in training camp. He also played well in the first preseason game against the Carolina Panthers last week and Tuesday’s joint practice with the Philadelphia Eagles.
In fact, he had one of the best plays by a Patriots player on Tuesday. Catching a deep pass from rookie quarterback Drake Maye.
However, pass-catching isn’t the only bright spot in Polk’s skill set. Another aspect has caught the attention of Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo.
“He’s another guy that’s very consistent,” Mayo told reporters before Tuesday’s practice. “You see him in college, of course he can run routes and catch the ball and do all those things, but what stood out to me was his blocking. You don’t really see receivers do the things he did in college.
“He’s a tough player. He goes out there and blocks guys like (Kyle) Dugger and all that. It’s great, it’s great to see. That mentality, that attitude at that position is important.”
Obviously, blocking isn’t the most important part of being a wide receiver. Catching the ball is the most important thing, and the Patriots desperately need one of these young wide receivers to be a key player on offense. Polk becoming that type of player for New England is the best-case scenario for his development.
But the fact that Polk has such a well-rounded skill set as a rookie is impressive and encouraging for the team. If the Patriots are going to have a productive season on offense, they’ll need to run the ball at an efficient clip. Polk could play a key role in that success if he continues to block at a high level.