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Patriots' young receivers need to start proving their worth to offense

By Ryan McLaughlin

Nov 17, 2024; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk (1) warms up before a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
Nov 17, 2024; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk (1) warms up before a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images / Eric Canha-Imagn Images
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Even though the 3-10 Patriots are simply playing out the string of the 2024 season with four games remaining, there are plenty of storylines to follow. Perhaps one of the biggest ones is the continued struggles of the young receiving core, which has been a major headline throughout New England all season

Rookies Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker have combined for 12 catches in 13 games, with Baker not registering a catch and just one target. That's not acceptable, and the noise is growing louder and louder for the Patriots to upgrade their wide receiver room this offseason.

However, with the recent release of wide receiver K.J. Osborn - likely to make room for the return of offensive lineman Cole Strange - these last four games will offer plenty of opportunities for Polk and Baker to prove their worth to the team.

Slow starts are not a foreign concept to Polk, as he suffered an injury on the first play of his debut game at the University of Washington. But he quickly grew and shifted, and his 69 catch, 1,159-yard, nine-touchdown 2023 campaign with the Huskies prompted the Patriots to draft him in the second round.

Patriots rookie receivers have a lot to prove during the remainder of the 2024 season

Polk has not produced, tabulating a dismal 12 receptions for 87 yards, but if you're looking for a bright spot, he's the lone Patriots wide receiver with multiple touchdowns (two). He's had issues with drops. If you're constantly dropping passes, your quarterback isn't going to trust you.

But this is the time for Polk to prove he can be a valuable asset in this offense beyond this season. The Patriots will likely bring fresh bodies into their wide receiver room this offseason, whether it's via the draft, free agency, or both (likely both). Polk is 6'1 ", fast, and strong, and along with DeMario Douglas, he can be a viable weapon for Drake Maye in the slot.

And then there's Baker.

Baker made some noise during training camp by stating he makes people in wheelchairs stand up, but he hasn't backed up his talk on the field. He's only seen the field in eight of the Patriots' 13 games. If Baker doesn't start proving himself, he could be headed toward Tyquan Thornton (released earlier this season) territory.

Jerod Mayo has said he'd like to see more production from the rookies, particularly Polk and Baker, over the Patriots' final four games. That needs to happen for both of these guys to have a future in Foxboro. The scoreboard is irrelevant at this point, and all eyes are focusing on the development of Maye and the young guys.

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