Who Should I Start? Ja'Lynn Polk or Tai Felton

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, May 9, 4:13 PM

The Minnesota Vikings have signed wide receiver Tai Felton, defensive lineman Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, linebacker Kobe King, and tight end Gavin Bartholomew to their rookie deals on Friday. As for Felton, his contract is a four-year, $6.13 million agreement after the team selected him with the final pick of the third round of April's draft. He'll join one of the better WR corps in Minnesota alongside starters Jalen Nailor, Jordan Addison, and Justin Jefferson. Furthermore, tight end T.J. Hockenson poses a decent target threat at tight end. The Maryland alum has a ways to go before he sees playing time, but he's uber-athletic (4.37 40-yard dash), and it wouldn't be surprising to see him surpass Nailor in the pecking order in due time. Felton had a strong final season at Maryland (94/1,124/9).