The early returns for Patriots’ rookie receiver group have been ugly

"He didn’t execute the way that we all had hoped he would."

Ja'Lynn Polk has struggled in his rookie season. (Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff)

November 18, 2024

3 minutes to read

The Patriots’ pursuit of top-end receiver talent through the NFL Draft hasn’t exactly been fruitful as of late.

On Saturday, New England moved on from its latest pass-catching project when the team released 2022 second-round pick Tyquan Thornton after two-and-a-half lackluster campaigns in Foxborough.

And while it might still be early, New England’s two rookie wideouts aren’t doing much to separate themselves from the same “bust” label affixed to Thornton.

After taking a step forward in Week 10 against the Bears by reeling in a touchdown, 2024 second-round pick Ja’Lynn Polk was once again an afterthought in New England’s offensive approach during Sunday’s loss to the Rams.

On an afternoon where Drake Maye targeted nine different players on throws, the Patriots’ rookie QB didn’t attempt one pass toward Polk — who was projected to be a high-floor, dependable pass-catcher and crisp route-runner coming out of the collegiate ranks.

To further twist the knife, Polk’s lone contribution to Sunday’s 28-22 loss to the Rams benefited Los Angeles.

With under five minutes to play in regulation, Maye and the Patriots were marching down the field in hopes of making it a one-possession game.

Facing a 4th-and-1 from the Rams’ 19, it looked as though the Patriots were about to run a trick play in hopes of gaining that yard and moving the chains further into the red zone.

But before the play, Polk was whistled for a false start — pushing New England back and forcing Jerod Mayo and his coaching staff to opt for a field goal. It was a brutal lapse in execution at a time where New England seemed to be gaining momentum back on their side in crunch time.

“Yeah, I think the play clock was coming down, just trying to do different things and get guys lined up,” Maye said Sunday of Polk’s false start. “Just unfortunate, the false start, pushed us back and kicked the field goal. So, just unfortunate.”

Fourth-round pick Javon Baker has received even fewer snaps this season, with the UCF product still without a catch over six games. Sunday stood as an opportunity to carve out a role for Baker on kickoffs, but he was benched after just two returns.

After returning the ball 46 yards on the opening kick, Baker’s second return went for 16 yards — with the rookie muffing the kickoff, gathering the loose ball and then trying to hurdle a Rams player along the sideline.

Jerod Mayo didn’t mince words on Monday when asked why Baker was limited to just seven total snaps in Sunday’s loss.

“He didn’t execute the way that we all had hoped he would,” Mayo said. “Even on that big return, it was one of those situations where, ‘Is he coming out? Is he not coming out?’ Same thing with the second kickoff return.”

While it was unrealistic to expect players like Polk and Baker to immediately hit the ground running in the NFL ranks, both pass-catchers have struggled to find any semblance of traction so far in 2024.

Baker has largely been on the outside looking in at reps all season long, but Polk has only reeled in 11 catches for 80 yards over 10 games.

Add in other distractions like Polk’s cryptic social-media post after a tough game in London, Baker’s “hiccup” on that same trip and his Instagram Live after getting into a spat with law enforcement at Logan Airport, and this season has already gone sideways for two promising talents.

“I think it’s important to remember like those guys are rookies, and sometimes the expectation is that they just are gonna come in here and be all-pros,” Mayo said Sunday of his rookies. “That’s not it. Those guys, they work every day, and at some point, they’ll hit an inflection point where they can help our team win.”

Even if New England needs to do what it can to give Polk and Baker opportunities to bounce back, that could mean cutting reps for veterans like Kendrick Bourne. Bourne was benched in Chicago for that exact reason, but responded against the Rams with five catches for 70 yards and a touchdown.

Speaking on Sunday, Bourne voiced his support for Polk as the rookie looks to find his footing.

“Yeah, it’s tough. Adversity, it hits — just like when I was down last week, but just keep going,” Bourne said Sunday. “And that’s kind of what you encourage him. Just keep going.

“You never know what play is going to change your career. You never know what the future holds. So don’t hold onto bad things for too long. It’s not easy to do, but that’s kind of just the words of encouragement.”