The New England Patriots had a busy offseason, highlighted by hiring Mike Vrabel as their new head coach. The team was busy in free agency to help Vrabel build the team in his image.
The Patriots signed Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins. They also drafted Kyle Williams in the third round of the NFL Draft. Three new receivers mean some players from last season will not make the team. FanSided’s Graham Walker predicted the Patriots would take Diggs, Kayshon Boutte, Demario Douglas, Kendrick Bourne, Hollins and Williams onto the 53-man roster. That means Javon Baker and Ja’Lynn Pol would be cut after just one season with the team.
“Diggs, Hollins, and Williams are all new and higher-profile additions, and therefore locks,” wrote Walker. “Boutte and Douglas led the room in yards last season, so I’d expect them to stick around. Bourne wasn’t all that productive last season, but he had his best career season under Josh McDaniels in 2021, so I’d expect him to vouch for Bourne to get another chance. Vrabel and company have no loyalties to Ja’Lynn Polk or Javon Baker, so I’d expect the pair to go.”
Polk was the Patriots’ second-round pick last season. He managed to catch just 12 passes as a rookie and had 87 yards with two touchdowns. Baker was a fourth-round pick and had one catch for 12 yards on the season. Neither player was able to make much of an impact, and now the coaching staff that played a role in drafting them is gone.
Both players have an uphill battle to make the team. The Patriots clearly wanted to upgrade the weapons around Drake Maye and spent assets this offseason to make it happen. Even if Polk and Baker found a role on the team, it would have to be on special teams or as depth options.
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Even the path to being one of the backup receivers is tough. Bourne, Douglas and Boutte have all proven to be more valuable to the Patriots. The preseason games will play a huge role in what happens to both Polk and Baker.
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