When it comes to numbers, the Patriots have a deep, wide receiving room. Stefon Diggs is the unquestionable number one, with DeMario Douglas and Kyle Williams both having outstanding training camps. But the biggest battles within that group could come for the final roster spots.
Second-year man Ja'Lynn Polk is one of those guys, and one who many deemed to be on the outside looking in, especially after the Patriots signed Diggs this offseason and drafted Williams in the third round. Polk did not have a strong rookie campaign, finishing with just 12 catches for 87 yards and two touchdowns.
According to Bleacher Report, Polk is one of seven players across the league with a lot on the line this preseason. Assuming the Patriots carry six receivers on their final roster, that leaves Polk battling with Kendrick Bourne, Javon Baker, Efton Chism, and Kayshon Boutte for three spots, given Diggs, Williams, and Douglas are the three locks.
Ja'Lynn Polk's preseason will go a long way as to whether he stays or goes
The Patriots have a new coaching staff this season, so Polk has a lot of work to do to impress Mike Vrabel and Josh McDaniels. New England's rookie class - especially on offense - was brought in to turbocharge the unit that was inept last season, and Polk is one of the guys who is stuck in first gear.
He's had a pretty good training camp, but that was the case last season, and it did not carry over to the regular season. Bourne's recent foot injury may open the door somewhat for Polk, and he needs to take advantage of it, starting with Friday's preseason opener against Washington.
The problem for Polk is that some of the guys around him have had productive springs and summer as well. Bourne was signed to a three-year extension last offseason, and Boutte and Drake Maye developed a solid amount of chemistry last season.
It was Boutte who hauled in Maye's first NFL touchdown pass. Chism is the type of guy who could make the roster on special teams and steal a wide receiver spot. Remember when some guy named Julian Edelman did that?
Polk needs to treat each preseason game like his job is on the line, or he could be a guy on the chopping block in a few weeks.