The troubling reason the Patriots’ rookie receivers might not be playing

Former Patriots QB Brian Hoyer believes the team's two rookie WRs haven't yet earned their way onto the field.

Ja'Lynn Polk #1 of the New England Patriots scores a touchdown against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on November 10, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. Michael Reaves/Getty Images

By Khari D. Thompson

December 18, 2024

2 minutes to read

With just three games left in the Patriots’ season, it’s time to see what the team has in its young players to see if they can be building blocks for a (hopefully) brighter future.

New England has certainly gotten a long look at Drake Maye, who looks like the real deal at quarterback, and guard Layden Robinson, who has struggled at both guard spots this year while shuffling in and out of the lineup.

But two players the team hasn’t seen enough from this season: rookie receivers Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker.

Polk, a second-rounder in this past NFL Draft, and Baker, whom the Pats took in the fifth round, have struggled to find their footing in 2024. Polk has caught just 12 passes for 87 yards and two touchdowns this season, while Baker has yet to break the stat sheet aside from receiving one target in five games player.

In fact, some metrics consider Polk’s season to be one of the worst a rookie receiver’s ever had, making it feel highly likely he’ll join a long line of busts at the position for the franchise.

Former Patriots QB Brian Hoyer, who has seen his share of pass-catchers flame out in New England, spoke on why Polk and Baker haven’t yet earned the coaching staff’s trust on the latest “The Quick Snap” podcast episode.

“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,” Hoyer said after noting he was surprised to see Polk’s lack of involvement last Sunday. The second-round rookie’s 20 snaps were the lowest among Patriots receivers.

“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.”

To that point, a play in the second quarter may have illustrated that: Polk appeared to block the wrong man on a busted run play, and the defensive back Polk likely should’ve blocked made the tackle on running back Antonio Gibson.

Due to this and his penchant for bad drops, Polk hasn’t earned more looks yet from Drake Maye, who has predictably leaned on more reliable targets like Hunter Henry, Kendrick Bourne, and Demario Douglas instead. Meanwhile, Baker hasn’t factored into the equation at all.

With just three games left in the season, the question doesn’t seem to be why the Patriots aren’t playing their rookie receivers more frequently. It’s about what they’re willing to do to prove they deserve the opportunities. Right now, neither has done much, and that’s a troubling sign for a position group that could use an infusion of talent.