With spring practices now behind them, the Patriots are currently on summer break before training camp begins in mid-July. Many players will face a tough end to their offseason, as they must stand out above their teammates in hopes of making the 2025 roster, particularly the wide receivers.
Mike Vrabel has the fortunate problem of having too much depth signed to the team right now, meaning the receivers on the roster bubble will be highly competitive the rest of the summer. There are whispers already about who are roster locks, such as Stefon Diggs and rookie Kyle Williams, while other chatter suggests who will be cut.
That's something Brian Hines of Pats Pulpit has done recently, and he has the Patriots already cutting ties with last year's draft picks, Javon Baker, and Ja'Lynn Polk. Both came into their second offseason with a chip on their shoulder from a disappointing rookie year, but they haven't proven they can be viable pieces of the Patriots' new-look offense, with some believing they won't make the team because of it.
The Patriots might choose not to see what last year's draft picks can do in Josh McDaniels' offense
Looking at how spring practices went and the players analysts project will make up the receiving corps, it's unsurprising to see that Baker and Polk don't make the final 53. Although Vrabel has reportedly expressed confidence in both players, especially Baker, neither has made a significant enough impression on the new regime to secure a spot this season, making them easy to be expendable.
Polk was limited in practices to start the offseason, which likely hurt his chances to make the team, so there is certainly time for him to turn it around. However, competing against the likes of Kayshon Boutte, Kendrick Bourne, Stefon Diggs, DeMario Douglas, Mack Hollins, and Kyle Williams won't be easy, especially since they have all proven to be exactly what the offense needs.
Because of that, Baker and Polk will need to pull off a magical training camp somehow to oust one of them from their spot. Although that seems unlikely, it's not entirely out of the realm of possibility.
It will require them to prove why Jerod Mayo and Co. drafted them in the first place, with more pressure being on Polk due to his higher draft selection. The former UW receiver had hype coming into the draft last year and flashed sporadically throughout his rookie season, only to flounder for most of it, and now finds himself in this position this year to prove his worth.
There is potentially only one spot left for the second-year players to compete for, if the presumed roster locks are correct. It won't be easy, and that's likely why many projections have Baker and Polk not making the team. Hopefully, at least one can prove they weren't a draft bust throughout training camp.