Patriots
The Patriots chosen wide receivers Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker within the second and fourth rounds, respectively, of the 2024 NFL Draft to offer some backup for Drake Maye.
However, before they assist out their recent quarterback, the receivers gave one another a helping hand. Polk and Baker trained together in Florida leading as much as the draft and met while playing college football on opposite ends of the country (Polk played at Washington, Baker played at UCF).
Two weeks after each were drafted by the Patriots, Polk told reporters at rookie minicamp on Saturday that he was looking forward to working with Baker again
“It’s pretty cool for us to be here together and be together again,” Polk said. “A great receiver, a dominant player, a very confident player. He knows exactly what he can do and what he can do out on the field.”
Baker showed that confidence in his first meeting with the media after New England chosen him. When asked what Patriots fans should expect from him, Baker replied: “I make people stand up in wheelchairs. Bring your popcorn.”
But Baker also told reporters that day that there was already “a connection” between him and Polk, adding that he, Polk and Maye would “bring back the winning mentality that everyone in Boston likes.”
Polk and Baker continued that connection of their early days in Foxborough, spending 13-hour days together on the Patriots' facility for a rookie minicamp.
“Me and Javon, after we get everything done, we'll get our food and before we go to the hotel… we'll go in there, catch pitchers, one of the equipment guys will go in with us,” Polk said. “We're trying to find our routine and our schedule and do our best to get the guys in the room and ourselves to feed off the vets and be able to pick their brains and figure out what they're doing “It’s exciting to be a part of something like that.”
The results of the early bond between Polk and Baker has already caught Mayes' attention, as each receivers played in rookie minicamp.
“You look good,” Maye said. “They made some 7-on-7 plays, I threw a few behind them and they still made the catches. I don't know if we've had one on the ground yet, knock on wood. That's the goal out here: to get out here, put routes on the air and be 100%. These guys are going to be very special players.”
Sixth-round pick Marcellas Dial, who was the one defensive player the Patriots chosen within the draft, was also impressed by Polk and Baker.
“They are two explosive guys who play with a chip on their shoulder,” Dial said after practice. “When you compete against them, you realize they know what they’re doing.”
While the bond between Polk and Baker garnered attention through the Patriots' rookie minicamp, the main target stays on the quarterback throwing them the ball.
Polk seems to know this.
“This is the guy here,” Polk told reporters, pointing at Maye.
image credit : www.boston.com