Who Should I Start? Ja'Lynn Polk or Roman Wilson

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.

Sunday, August 10, 1:30 PM

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Roman Wilson finished with two receptions for 24 yards on two targets in a 31-25 preseason win against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Wilson took the field with Pittsburgh's first-team offense on Saturday and commanded looks from quarterback Mason Rudolph. The second-year pro is in line for a big opportunity in 2025 after missing nearly all of his rookie season due to ankle and hamstring injuries. While newly-acquired wideout D.K. Metcalf is clearly entrenched as the team's primary pass-catcher, Wilson could certainly carve out a role for himself in an otherwise thin wide receiver room that includes Calvin Austin III, Robert Woods, and Scotty Miller. He'll hope to further showcase his abilities in next week's exhibition bout with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.