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Early predictions for Patriots’ five most impactful rookies in 2024 originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
Having fully-formed opinions on any first-year player following the rookie-minicamp portion of the NFL schedule would be lunacy.
It’s a couple of practices. In shorts and t-shirts. And there’s very little in the way of truly competitive moments.
But now that reporters have had an opportunity to get their eyes on Patriots draft picks — now that videos dot the internet showing New England’s first-year players performing football-ish acts on a football field — it’s as good a time as any to ask what 2024 will look like for these guys.
As the offseason progresses we’ll have further opportunities to watch the 2024 draft class — and the undrafted rookies — perform in OTAs, mandatory minicamp and eventually training camp. At that point, opinions will have coalesced.
Until then, knowing what we don’t know about four months before the start of the regular season, let’s take an almost-blind stab at which five players will be the most impactful from the Patriots’ rookie class.
1. Ja’Lynn Polk, WR
The No. 2 receiver at Washington last year could very well be the best player at his position on his new team. Based on where he aligned at rookie minicamp, it seems as though the Patriots are comfortable with the idea of Polk playing a role similar to the one he played for the Huskies, as a do-it-all “Z” who can be trusted to move the chains with pro-ready middle-of-the-field chops.
The Patriots have other options to fulfill that particular gig; Kendrick Bourne and KJ Osborn are vets who could function as “Z” options. But Polk’s sure hands, explosive lower-half (10-foot-9 broad jump at the combine, 88th percentile), and savvy against zone coverages should make him a dependable piece for the Patriots passing game from Day 1.
2. Layden Robinson, OL
We’ll get to the quarterback later. We’ll get to offensive tackle later. After Polk, it’s Robinson who may have the best chance to…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/early-predictions-patriots-five-most-220531909.html
Author : NBC Sports Boston
Publish date : 2024-05-14 22:05:31
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