The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects that could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2024 NFL draft.
Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, Romeo Doubs, Christian Watson and Bo Melton. Those five wide receivers are all but locks to be on the Week 1 roster for the Green Bay Packers.
With those five youngsters in place, the Packers no longer have a pressing need to add talent to that room. If they were to spend another Top 100 pick on the position it would be a rich get richer selection.
The 2024 NFL Draft class boasts a talented and deep wide receiver class. There could be three wide receivers selected in the Top 10 and up to 21 taken in the first three rounds. There is a chance that Brian Gutekunst may want to get in on the action to give Jordan Love another young weapon.
If that’s the case, a player that Gutekunst could target in the second round is Ja’Lynn Polk. The University of Washington wide receiver checks in at No. 51 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.
A Texas Tech transfer, Polk reeled in seven receiving touchdowns during his first two seasons at Washington. With Jalen McMillan missing time due to injury this past season, Polk enjoyed a breakout campaign, recording 69 receptions for 1,159 yards and nine touchdowns. The Texas native also scored a rushing touchdown.
“After spending a lot of time in the slot and as a third option, it was very exciting to watch him step into a big role,” Roman Tomashoff, the editor for UWHuskieswire, said. “He was already known as a reliable pass catcher but rose to the occasion whenever he was called on but got to display a little bit more of his versatility on the outside after Jalen McMillan went down.”
Polk turns 50-50 balls into 80-20 balls. He climbs the ladder and attacks the ball at its highest point. He has outstanding body control and can adjust mid-air. Polk tracks the ball well over his shoulder. The Washington wide receiver has sticky hands and has no issue making catches in traffic.
“Ja’Lynn Polk might have the strongest hands in the draft,” Tomashoff said. “He catches everything thrown his way and with some of the athletic grabs he’s made, it looks like he has magnets in his hands at times.”
Polk runs hard with the ball in his hands and has the strength to break through initial contact to create YAC. Once he breaks away he has the burst to pull away from defenders. According to PFF, Polk picked up 356 yards after the catch this past season. With his size, strength and quickness, there is a chance that there is some untapped YAC potential.
“He’s not the biggest YAC receiver you’ve ever seen, but what makes him dangerous is that he has no fear,” Tomashoff said. “He knows he’ll take a big hit sometimes and just doesn’t care, he’ll make a big play and pop right back up even after getting laid out.”
The Texas native has efficient footwork to get a clean release. He’s physical and doesn’t get his timing disrupted. Polk does a good job of selling double moves to create separation downfield and finished this past season with 14 deep catches (PFF).
“I would say that he’s an above-average route runner,” Tomashoff said. “He’s not the most fluid, but he certainly does a very good job with his feet and creating clean releases off the line.”
Fit with the Packers
The Packers have a rich history of drafting wide receivers on Day 2 of the NFL Draft and turning them into studs. Polk could be the next in line.
With his ability to go up and snare the pigskin, Polk could provide another dimension to what’s an already talented wide receiver room at 1265 Lombardi Avenue.
‘He’s a very reliable, high-floor player,” Tomashoff said. “While he’s not the athlete that some of his teammates are, he’s a reliable pass catcher who can thrive in the slot and be a trustworthy security blanket for a quarterback.”
Polk has sticky hands and proved to be a reliable, dynamic playmaker for the explosive Washington offense this past season. The Washington wide receiver would provide Matt LaFleur another weapon to toy with and his presence could be the final touch on Green Bay’s talented wide receiver room remodel.