Who Should I Start? Ja'Lynn Polk or Chimere Dike

Tuesday, August 12, 12:39 AM

New England Patriots wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk (shoulder) was on the outside looking in of beat reporter Chad Graff of The Athletic's latest 53-man roster projection. Graff notes that the shoulder injury Polk suffered in the team's first preseason game on Friday "further hurts his chances at making the team." Polk had a horrible rookie season in 2024, recording 12 catches for 87 yards and two touchdowns in 15 games (seven starts). Even still, it would be a rapid fall from grace to see him get cut before his second season, given that he was the 37th overall pick of the 2024 draft. Graff has 2024 fourth-rounder Javon Baker making the team as the WR6 ahead of Polk.

Friday, July 4, 3:25 PM

AtoZSports.com's Easton Freeze reports that the Tennessee Titans may alter the role that rookie wide receiver Chimere Dike played on the field during his time at college. The 23-year-old has speed for days and was deployed on a steady diet of nine routes during his tenure at the collegiate level. Rightfully so, when you consider he averaged a whopping 18.6 yards per reception -- good for a top-20 mark in the FBS. However, Freeze notes that Tennessee could opt to use him as a big-slot asset and that it wouldn't be surprising to see him garner a role early on in the offense due to his versatility. Dike's athleticism makes him an enticing option, and the Titans' lack of legitimate receiving weapons only furthers the intrigue. The rookie's playing time could be sparse to start, but he should get a decent chance at snaps eventually. He's an interesting dynasty dart-throw.