The second-round pick mentioned he would not feel like a rookie, but a ‘ball player.’
Two days into his first NFL training camp, Ja’Lynn Polk already is looking like a potential contributor for the New England Patriots’ 2024 offense. The wide receiver, who was selected 37th overall in the second round of this year’s draft, has been actively involved with the starters on his side of the ball and did not look out of place.
Obviously, the first few days of training camp need to be taken with a grain of salt — players are not even in full pads yet — but the early signs have still been encouraging. For Polk, everything appears to be going according to plan.
What does that plan look like? Quite simple: show the Patriots that they made the right call drafting him.
“I’m here to build up this team and bring what I have. They brought me here for a reason, so I’m coming in here every single day living up to my expectations,” Polk told reporters following Thursday’s practice. “I’m not here to prove anybody wrong. I’m just here to prove everybody that believed in me right.”
A three-star recruit out of high school, Polk started his college career at Texas Tech before transferring to Washington ahead of his sophomore campaign. In three seasons as a Husky, he appeared in 31 games with 23 starts and caught 115 passes for 1,967 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Even though he was still eligible to play college football, Polk decided to take his talents to the NFL. The wide receiver-needy Patriots came knocking on Day 2 of the draft.
According to cornerback Christian Gonzalez, who played against Polk in the Pac-12, they acquired a high-energy player that day.
“He’s coming in and doing what he’s got to do. “He’s keeping his head down, but he’s an energy guy. His energy’s infectious,” Gonzalez said about his rookie teammate on Thursday.
“Being around him — not just playing against him but now being on the same team with him — it’s fun to see how cool of a guy and how happy he is. He’s hungry. He’s ready to go. I’m excited to keep competing with him, and really excited to watch him go do what he does on Sunday.”
So far this training camp, the results have been promising. With projected starting wide receiver DeMario Douglas being held out of team drills due to a hand injury, Polk has seen increased opportunities. He has not been perfect, but it has become clear that neither Jacoby Brissett nor Drake Maye are afraid of sending the ball his way.
More often than not, the 22-year-old has come down with it. Only three months into his tenure, his growth and increasing confidence are already on display.
“I just feel like a ball player. I feel like me — where confidence is, where my faith is. My belief in myself is strong,” he said.
“I feel a lot more comfortable. Getting my feet on the ground, just having confidence and competing. I think the biggest thing is just going out there and competing every single rep, competing every single day, and putting in your preparation. Everything is going to show at the end of the day.”