"For most of this past offseason, the Patriots were in the unique position of having an overflowing roster of wide receivers and crucial decisions to make regarding what the future of the offense would look like for Drake Maye. Early on, it seemed apparent regarding who would make the team and who needed a standout training camp to make the cut, two of the most vulnerable being last year's draft picks, Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker."
"Although the Jerod Mayo regime had the right intention of selecting positions of need during the draft, the wide receiver duo had an underwhelming rookie season and were far from secure in their roles with the Patriots for the 2025 season. That inevitably led to Javon Baker being cut and eventually signing with the Eagles' practice squad, and Ja'Lynn Polk being traded to the Saints ahead of New England's Week 2 matchup with the Dolphins. Patriots are trading WR Ja'Lynn Polk and a 2028 7th-round pick to the Saints for a 2027 6th-round pick, as @DMRussini reported. Polk is on injured reserve due to a shoulder injury, but Saints acquiring him for the future.- Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 13, 2025"
"It was a shocking move, but not because Polk was traded. It was more unexpected that any team would be interested in acquiring him after how much he struggled during the 2024 season, and because he was placed on injured reserve this summer, meaning he can't suit up until next year. But apparently, they see something in Polk that the Patriots weren't able to get out of him, and it was just another reminder to Robert Kraft just how much of a mistake it was to have Mayo and Eliot Wolf go about the 2024 draft the way they did."
For much of the offseason the Patriots carried an overflowing wide receiver group and faced decisions about the offense's direction for rookie quarterback Drake Maye. Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker entered camp as the most vulnerable roster spots after underwhelming rookie seasons. Javon Baker was cut and signed to the Eagles' practice squad. Ja'Lynn Polk was placed on injured reserve and then traded to the Saints for a future draft pick. The Saints reportedly saw long-term potential despite Polk's struggles and injury. The move intensified concerns about Jerod Mayo and Eliot Wolf's recent draft choices and broader roster construction.
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