New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye believes the two young receivers, Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker, will step up for the team in 2025 after disappointing rookie campaigns.
Both receivers came to New England with expectations of contributing right out of the gates. However, Polk struggled to make plays in his limited opportunities, and Baker was barely on the field.
Polk recorded 12 catches for 87 yards, while Baker tallied one catch for 12 yards in the season finale against the Buffalo Bills. The Patriots are hoping to make drastic improvements at the receiver position, but some of the help the team needs might already be on the roster.
“We brought in two rookie receivers, Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker—were kind of feeling it out this year, and they both battled some injuries,” Maye said on “Green Light with Chris Long.” “But hopefully expecting one of them, if not both, to kind of make a splash this year.”
#Patriots QB Drake Maye on who he wants to have a breakout year:
“We brought in two rookie receivers, Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker, were kind of feeling it out this year and they both battled some injuries. But hopefully expecting one of them, if not both, to kind of make a splash this year.”
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: @greenlight) pic.twitter.com/Q8GuxsOfa8
— New England Sports Fellow (@NESportsFellow) February 20, 2025
Positive contributions from Polk and Baker would go a long way toward helping the Patriots’ offense reach the next level. It would also speed up the rebuilding process by limiting the outside help needed to compete.