Day 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft has come and gone, and plenty of talent remains on the board heading into the second night.
Ja’Lynn Polk headed into the 2024 NFL Draft as one of several intriguing talents in a loaded wide receiver class that saw several players at the position selected on Day 1.
Polk enters Day 2 still on the board and could be a valuable pickup for teams needing a WR in either the second or third round.
Update: WR Ja’Lynn Polk was selected by the New England Patriots in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft with the 37th overall pick.
Ja'Lynn Polk is a well-rounded three-level threat who has the potential to make an immediate impact in the #Patriots' offense. 🔥#GoHuskies | #ForeverNE pic.twitter.com/jB1BEzi580
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) April 26, 2024
Ja’Lynn Polk’s Draft Stock
It’s not a surprise that Polk is still available, as not many people believed he would be taken on Day 1. But where and when his wait will stop remains a big question. There is no doubt the Washington Huskies WR is talented.
Even if he was outshined by his teammate and first-round selection, Rome Odunze, at times, Polk has a chance to make a Day 1 impact in the NFL with a team getting an intriguing receiving threat who can hit a home run on any given play.
The versatility and big play ability are evident and are attributes that Pro Football Network’s Ian Cummings that are high on translating at the next level.
MORE: Ian Cummings’ Full Scouting Report on Ja’Lynn Polk
“Polk grades out as a top-50 prospect and a fringe first-round talent in the 2024 NFL Draft on my board. Schematically, he’s one of the most diverse receivers in the class, and he also has the catch-point reliability and RAC skills to win his quarterback over quickly,” says Cummings.
“Without a doubt, however, Polk’s best trait is his finishing ability at the catch point. Polk’s blend of body control, coordination, timing, and ball-tracking ability culminates in elite catching instincts, and his hands are almost infallible. He snares passes with the ease and authority of a Venus flytrap, and he doesn’t let go.
“Polk is a supremely well-rounded three-level threat, who can be an impact starter at the movement-Z spot very early in his career — and a go-to option on must-have downs with his hands of steel,” Cummings notes.
Polk is as exciting of a WR prospect as there is in this class, and considering how loaded it is, that’s saying a lot. In any other year, he may have crept into the first round with relative ease. Instead, some team is getting a steal on Friday night and will feel great about it for years.
Potential Day 2 Landing Spots for Polk
Buffalo Bills
The Bills have an obvious, blinking red light of a need at the WR position. With Gabe Davis signing elsewhere in free agency and the team opting to trade Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans, it is a complete overhaul at the position heading into 2024.
Buffalo needs impact playmakers to come in and make up some of the production they lost this offseason, and while it won’t be a seamless transition, Polk can come in and help them do just that.
Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals are another AFC team with questions surrounding the WR position’s stars. With the futures of Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd in limbo, the Bengals will assuredly be looking to this weekend to add to the room.
They already have their bonafide WR1 in Ja’Marr Chase, now they can benefit from another game-breaker on a reasonable rookie deal to come in and be a complement to their already productive star.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers have been looking for consistent offensive production for years now. With George Pickens looking to be one that they got right, they can look to add a sidekick with Polk.
Diontae Johnson is no longer in the fold, so not only are they looking for more production, but they are looking to replace it as well, putting an even more concerted effort to do so on Day 2.
With Russell Wilson and Justin Fields in town, it will be important to pair them with as many weapons as they need to be successful in 2024 and beyond.
Looking for everything you need surrounding the 2024 NFL Draft? Make sure to check out the latest draft results, overall team grades, and updated best remaining players available at every position!