Who Should I Start? Ja'Lynn Polk or Jaylin Lane

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.

Thursday, July 31, 10:13 AM

Washington Commanders rookie wide receiver Jaylin Lane has been seeing time with the first team during the early stages of training camp. According to Lynell Willingham of 1067 The Fan, the rookie out of Virginia Tech was being used as a decoy on a jet sweep during Thursday's practice session. The Commanders selected the wide receiver in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft with the 128th overall pick. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status as he may be pushed back to a reserve role once Terry McLaurin and the team resolve their contract dispute. During the past two seasons at Virginia Tech, Lane averaged 585 scrimmage yards per season and scored 10 total touchdowns. If Lane were to continue to impress, he could eventually jump Noah Brown and Luke McCaffrey on the depth chart. For now, he remains a stash option in deeper dynasty leagues.