Polk, a 2024 second-round pick by New England, showed flashes but posted modest numbers (12-87-2 on 15 games, 7 starts) before landing on season-ending IR with a shoulder injury. Traded to the Saints for a 2027 sixth-round pick, with a 2028 seventh-round pick also moving to New Orleans. Recovery and development timeline extend into 2026 for active play.

Polk moved from New Orleans to New England in a swap that netted Saints a 2028 seventh. Polk’s future with the Patriots hinges on depth and development, leaving Saints with the veteran-prospect outlook and a companion asset in 2028.

Polk, a 2024 first-year receiver with prototypical size and a strong 2023 college resume, faces a challenging return from a right shoulder injury. His IR stint and potential injury settlement cloud the timeline, but his ceiling remains high if he can regain explosive burst and earn a clear role in a Patriots WR room that features youth and veteran depth.

Ja'Lynn Polk, a 2024 second-round (No. 37) pick, had a rough rookie season before shoulder IR. His future with NE hinges on health and depth-chart changes; he’s a cautionary tale of a high draft pick facing a volatile rebuild.

Ja'Lynn Polk, 2024 second-round pick, placed on IR and out for 2025, removing a potential depth receiver from the Patriots' offense while NE emphasizes depth at the position. Polk's health status will determine his long-term role in 2025 and any mid-season return timeline.