The Patriots used the No. 37 pick in this year’s draft to select Polk and bolster a wide receiving corps that’s been underwhelming for the last several seasons. The 6-foot-1, 203-pound receiver has been described as a “self-starter” by head coach Jerod Mayo, and Reiss notes that Polk and rookie Drake Maye have put in a lot of extra work after practice. Polk broke out for 69-1,159-9 in his final season at Washington, splitting time both outside and in the slot. With second-year receiver Demario Douglas expected to play primarily in the slot this season, it’s possible Polk plays on the outside early and often for a team that’s in desperate need of young, productive players in the passing game. Polk is worth a late-round dart throw in deep PPR leagues, but fantasy managers shouldn’t bank on an overly-productive rookie campaign.

The Patriots used the No. 37 pick on Polk in hopes of bolstering a wide receiver unit that is amongst the worst in the league. The former Washington Husky caught 69 passes for 1,159 yards and nine touchdowns last season and was instrumental in leading them to a national championship title berth against Michigan. Polk has a chance to immediately earn snaps out the outside opposite Kendrick Bourne, who is still working his way back from a torn ACL suffered in Week 8. Bourne hopes to be ready for training camp, but Polk should continue to see plenty of offseason reps in his absence.

After taking Drake Maye with the third-overall pick Thursday, the Patriots give him what could be his top target for the 2024 season and beyond. Polk (6’1/203) was rumored to have elevated his stock throughout the pre-draft process. The Washington wideout ran a 4.52 at the combine but impressed in both the vertical and broad jumps. Polk totaled 110 receptions for 1,853 yards and 15 touchdowns over his last two seasons, playing opposite Rome Odunze along with Jalen McMillan while catching passes from Michael Penix. While he doesn’t possess the speed and burst we’d like to see, Polk made a name for himself hauling in contested targets, and has a contested catch rate of 51 percent over his college career. With ample experience out wide and in the slot, Polk will bring plenty of versatility to the New England offense once he gets acclimated. There isn’t much challenging his ascent up those ranks.