Who Should I Start? Ja'Lynn Polk or Xavier Restrepo

Friday, January 3, 6:55 PM

New England Patriots rookie wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk (shoulder) did not practice at all this week and has been ruled out for the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival Buffalo Bills. Meanwhile, fellow wideout Kayshon Boutte (illness) was cleared to play. The 22-year-old Polk will finish off what has been a bad rookie season early due to a shoulder injury. The second-round selection just never had much of a chance to excel in 2024 in a bad offense with rookie quarterback Drake Maye struggling to find his footing with limited weapons around him. Polk will finish his first year in the NFL with only 12 catches on 33 targets for 87 yards and two touchdowns in 15 games (seven starts). The Patriots will surely look to bring in upgraded receiving options this offseason, giving Polk and others even more competition.

Tuesday, May 13, 2:37 PM

Rookie wide receiver Xavier Restrepo signed with the Tennessee Titans after going unselected in the 2025 NFL Draft, and he has reportedly had a strong start to practice. The 23-year-old was quarterback Cam Ward's No. 1 wide receiver last season at Miami and tallied 69 receptions for 1,127 yards and 11 touchdowns. His chemistry with Ward has been evident early, and he's looked like the best rookie wide receiver on the field, but Titans insider Easton Freeze writes, "it's still an uphill climb" for Restrepo to make the team's 53-man roster. "He was a UDFA, not a 4th-round pick like Chimere Dike and Elic Ayomanor," Freeze wrote. "He's situated to shine this time of year, with a practice-friendly skillset and built-in chemistry with Cam Ward. And his biggest obstacle to making this team is his lack of versatility as a slot-only receiver who doesn't offer much on special teams." While Restrepo is gaining buzz as a potential undrafted steal, expectations should continue to be tempered, as he has a lot working against him.