Who Should I Start? Ja'Lynn Polk or JJ Laap

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.

Sunday, August 18, 9:43 AM

Los Angeles Rams rookie wide receiver JJ Laap caught a 47-yard touchdown pass from Stetson Bennett in the team's 13-9 win over the Chargers on Saturday. Laap's TD catch ended up being the difference in the game as he caught both of his targets for 50 receiving yards. Laap is a rookie out of Cortland State of New York. The small college receiver made the most of his opportunity in Week 2 of the preseason but is not likely to have a role in a crowded Rams receiver room during the regular season.