The New Orleans Saints have traded for another pass catcher, this time, Patriots wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk.
The Black and Gold will send a 2027 sixth-round pick away in exchange for Polk and a 2028 seventh-rounder. Jordan Schultz broke the news on Saturday via X.
Polk was drafted in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots. He stands at 6’1, weighs 203 lbs, and will miss the entire 2025 season after having surgery on his shoulder in the offseason. Polk’s rookie season was underwhelming, catching 12 out of the 33 times he was targeted for 87 after playing in 15 games for the Pats.
Before hearing his name called on draft day, Polk spent three out of his four years in college with Washington. He began his collegiate career with Texas Tech, where he caught 28 passes for 264 yards and a pair of touchdowns. The 23-year-old then entered his name into the NCAA transfer portal and made his way to Seattle in the Pacific Northwest.
As a member of the Huskies, Polk had a slow start, playing in just three games in 2021, recording five catches for 114 yards and a score. 2022 was a much more productive year for Polk as he nearly 700 yards and six touchdowns, including a six-catch, 153-yard, and three-score day versus the then 11th-ranked Michigan State Spartans.
Polk peaked in his senior season with Washington as he played in 13 games and recorded 1,159 yards and reached pay dirt nine times on 69 catches as the Huskies went all the way to the National Championship that season. Ahead of that game against Michigan, Polk had five catches for 122 yards and a bobbling score as Washington took down Texas in the College Football Playoff Semifinal Sugar Bowl 37-31.
As it stands, the Saints’ wide receiver room features Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, DeVaughn Vele, Brandin Cooks, Mason Tipton, and Trey Palmer.