The list of negatives from the Patriots' 2024 season is far longer than the good ones, and unfortunately, that includes the development of the rookie class. Although the new regime mostly addressed the most prominent positions of need, the players they selected have yet to make much of an impact on the team this year, which isn't a great sign heading into the 2025 offseason in just a few weeks.
The biggest disappointments of all have been the wide receivers Javon Baker and Ja'Lynn Polk. They were expected to be immediate assets to the receiving corps this year, especially since the group was not very exciting and would be down Kendrick Bourne to start the year.
Both rookies had shining moments during training camp and preseason, individually having impressive practices and furthering the optimism around their fit for the offense. It looked like Jerod Mayo and Co. had made the right picks, only for that to be deemed questionable throughout the season thus far.
READ MORE: Former Patriots QB unfairly compares Ja'Lynn Polk to worst-possible draft bust
Neither has made their mark in the NFL, whether due to limited opportunities or mistakes that have been more costly to the offense's progression. This has been a pattern this year among the wide receivers, as seen with K.J. Osborn and Tyquan Thornton, both of whom have been released, and even among those who have been productive in the past, like Bourne and DeMario Douglas.
Why they have been lackluster this year is a debate that will likely go on until the end of time, but we've gotten some behind-the-scenes insight from one former Patriot, which is the worst possible scenario surrounding the futures of Baker and Polk.
Brian Hoyer seems to have implied the rookie receivers are not playing up to task for more opportunities on game day
While discussing the Patriots season on a new episode of his Quick Snap podcast with David Andrews earlier this week, quarterback Brian Hoyer mentioned the rookie receivers. He provided a possible explanation regarding their unfavorable first seasons in New England.
“You got to evaluate these players a little bit too, but it’s just one of those things, like you put them out there, and they don’t do what they’re supposed to do.
How many times did Bill used to say, ‘If you don’t know what to do, I can’t put you out there. You’re going to put yourself at risk. You’re going to put your teammates at risk.’ So I wonder how much of that is a factor in that decision-making.”
This seems to imply that Baker and Polk's problems this year go beyond limited chances or unimpressive showings when given an opportunity. If it really is that they don't know what they're doing, that's a much bigger issue that needs to be addressed and not a promising outlook for their future as Patriots.
Yet, at the same time, there seems to be a widespread problem within the receiving corps that can't be overlooked. We haven't seen the same kind of production from any of the typically reliable players, notably Bourne and Douglas. Hunter Henry's rise as the quarterback's most trusted target is back, and that's a disappointing update regarding the state of the pass catchers.
That might point to a more significant issue with the coaching staff than just the players themselves, especially since Baker was an explosive player at UCF and Polk was considered a fringe first-rounder with great hands, all of which we haven't seen yet with the Patriots.
This all goes far beyond just questioning whether the new regime drafted the right players and should mean a closer look at whether they have the right staff to support, coach, and uplift the players they have.