2024 Exclusive Sneak Peek: 2024 Exclusive Sneak Peek: Ja’lynn Polk, WR Washington
Welcome to the Exclusive Sneak Peek: Ja’Lynn Polk, University of Washington sophomore wide receiver. Polk grew up in Lufkin, Texas, and attended Lufkin High School. There, he amassed 131 receptions for 2412 yards and 24 touchdowns.
As a 3-star recruit, Polk joined Texas Tech and played with the Red Raiders for one season, with modest production. After transferring to Washington in 2021, he played two full seasons for the Huskies, breaking out in 2023 with 69 receptions for 1159 yards and 9 scores.
Polk, like the rest of his teammates, had a disappointing National Championship game. However, he was instrumental in the semifinal win against Texas. Showing up on the big stage was yet another sign that he’s ready for the NFL and should be taken within the first two rounds of this year’s draft.
Measurables
NCAA Statistics
| Receiving | Rushing | Scrimmage | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | School | Conf | Class | Pos | G | Rec | Yds | Avg | TD | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | Plays | Yds | Avg | TD |
| 2020 | Texas Tech | Big 12 | FR | WR | 10 | 28 | 264 | 9.4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 264 | 9.4 | 2 | |
| 2021 | Washington | Pac-12 | FR | WR | 3 | 5 | 114 | 22.8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 114 | 22.8 | 1 | |
| *2022 | Washington | Pac-12 | FR | 13 | 41 | 694 | 16.9 | 6 | 1 | 15 | 15.0 | 0 | 42 | 709 | 16.9 | 6 | |
| *2023 | Washington | Pac-12 | SO | WR | 15 | 69 | 1159 | 16.8 | 9 | 4 | 32 | 8.0 | 1 | 73 | 1191 | 16.3 | 10 |
| Career | Overall | 143 | 2231 | 15.6 | 18 | 5 | 47 | 9.4 | 1 | 148 | 2278 | 15.4 | 19 | ||||
| Texas Tech | 28 | 264 | 9.4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 264 | 9.4 | 2 | ||||||
| Washington | 115 | 1967 | 17.1 | 16 | 5 | 47 | 9.4 | 1 | 120 | 2014 | 16.8 | 17 | |||||
Scouting Reports
Strengths
- Good hands and great contested catch ability
- Very good target in the red zone due to size and jump ball ability
- Good body control, with a knack for high-pointing the football
- Shifty in the screen game
- Versatile, plays well from the slot and outside
- Tracks deep ball well
Weaknesses
- Separation isn’t elite
- Jack-of-all-trades type
- Third the best WR on his team
Pre-Draft Analysis
Expected Draft Capital: Early/Mid 2nd Round
Ideal Landing Spot: New England Patriots
It’s no secret the Patriots need wide receivers. And pick 34 overall may be too soon for the likes of Ja’Lynn Polk. Still, the Pats have a wide-open wideout room and Polk would fit in nicely.
Polk is a capable run blocker, displaying high effort on most plays. He’s also shown the ability to step into multiple roles, something New England has historically valued at the position. Though the coaching staff has turned over completely, it’s still easy to picture Polk’s versatility and reliability in a red, white, and blue uniform.
Who knows what to expect from a 2024 Patriots offense? But, given all the turnover, they must secure a guy they can move around the formation and count on no matter what he’s asked to do. More than most wideouts in this class, that’s Polk.
Post-Draft Analysis
Pick 2.37 to the New England Patriots
Polk
Check out The Fantasy Football Universe video breakdown of Ja’Lynn Polk below.
