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

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, April 1, 8:02 PM

At the Annual League Meeting on Tuesday, Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales compared wide receiver Xavier Legette to Pittsburgh Steelers wideout DK Metcalf. The Panthers reportedly checked in on Metcalf before the Seahawks traded him to Pittsburgh, but Carolina's head coach touted one of his own when asked about him. "I think we got that guy," Canales said, "I think it's Xavier." The 24-year-old flashed in 2024 but was mostly underwhelming and struggled with drops (eight on 81 targets). However, Canales believes we could see big things from Legette with an entire offseason under his belt. He also noted the second-year wideout's work ethic. "You can't get him out of the building. He's there early and late...he's doing all the right things, and with the hard work, it will pay off." The South Carolina native has a bit to go before he's fantasy-relevant, but the vote of confidence from his head coach is encouraging. He sits favorably on the team's depth chart for now, but that could change later this month after the draft.