Who Should I Start? Ja'Lynn Polk or Jordan Whittington

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.

Saturday, January 11, 7:58 PM

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Jordan Whittington showcased some big-play potential last week in the regular season finale, and the Rams may need to be more aggressive in this week's matchup against the Vikings on Monday Night Football of the Wild Card Round. The sixth-round pick from Texas was involved early in the season when Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp were injured. He had a combined 13 catches for 151 receiving yards in Week 4 and Week 5 but then sustained a shoulder injury that kept him limited for several weeks. Whittington stepped back in last week while the starters rested and caught three of his four targets for a team-high 86 receiving yards while also adding 12 rushing yards on two carries. Whittington does bring some sizzle and upside to the Rams' passing game, but his role is uncertain since the Rams rotate receivers behind the tandem of Nacua and Kupp. He's a dart throw play with upside for DFS contests on Monday.