2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Ja'Lynn Polk

Polk participated in every test at the NFL Combine except for bench press and agility testing. He boasts high-end explosive traits with slightly above-average size and speed, resulting in an unofficial Relative Athletic Score of 9.11 out of 10. That number can still change as official 10-yard split numbers are released and pro-day testing occurs. Washington's pro day is scheduled for March 28.

Background

Coming out of Lufkin High School in Lufkin, Texas, Ja'Lynn Polk (aka Poodle) was a three-star recruit and the No. 76 wide receiver prospect in the country, per 247Sports. Polk held offers from various Power Five programs including Arkansas, Baylor, Illinois, Kansas, Kansas State, and Minnesota before committing to Texas Tech.

In one year with the Red Raiders, Polk played in 10 games (seven starts) with 28 receptions for 263 yards and two touchdowns. After his true freshman season, Polk entered the transfer portal and transferred to Washington. He only appeared in three games in his first year with the Huskies due to injuries but played a key role in the team's offense over the next two seasons.

Polk started 30 of his 41 games played at the college level. According to PFF, he played out of the slot at a rate of 31% during his college career. His slot usage grew every season, peaking at 41% in 2023.

Among 286 FBS wide receivers with at least 50 targets in 2023, Polk ranked 80th in overall PFF grade, 75th in receiving grade, and 89th in hands grade. He averaged 16.8 yards per catch (47th) and 2.29 yards per route run (70th) with four drops on the season (5.5% drop rate; 106th best).

Strengths

• Good size with notable short-area burst
• Fluid hips give him good shake for his size and make him a YAC threat
• Uses tempo within his routes to create separation late
• Strong hands catcher who fights back to the football
• Caught 51% of contested catch situations in his career
• Shows impressive body control to contort his body and high point the football
• Angry and willing blocker
• Competitive spirit is evident on the tape
• Fights with his hands hands through press coverage
• Varies release package at the line of scrimmage

Weaknesses

• Lacks the ideal long speed to be a consistent vertical threat and stack coverage
• Must rely on release, physicality, and route-running savvy to create separation
• Tends to get too cute in his release package
• Is a bit of a tweener, being big enough and quick enough, but not elite in either category
• Is his dominance at the catch point enough to win consistently at the NFL level?
• Rounds off his route breaks more often than you'd like to see
• Played in a stacked Washington WR room that consistently allowed him to operate in space

Final Thoughts and Chicago Bears Fit for Ja'Lynn Polk

Polk currently has a top-75 grade from our team, and I see him as a potential third-round pick. To put it simply, Polk has that dog in him. He plays a physical brand of football and likes to chop it up with defensive backs. That physicality plays into his routes, as he's aggressive to the catch point and aims to beat defenders to the football. However, I question how his long speed could limit his upside at the NFL level.

Those speed questions are the primary limitation on his ceiling. He has the adequate size and excellent explosive traits that show on tape. But the middling long speed and questionable agility hold his ceiling to that of a key contributor. That means a high-quality starter, but not a Pro Bowl-caliber player. Meanwhile, his floor is that of a developmental backup who might need some time to settle into the pro game.

Ultimately, I see his most likely outcome being similar to Dontayvion Wicks. To reach his ceiling, Polk must continue to grow his release package and perfect his craft as a route runner. If he can't continue to grow his route-running acumen, he'll be seen as an undersized jump-ball receiver, which isn't a valuable role to play in the NFL.

Given the Chicago Bears' current draft capital situation, Polk could be a fit for them in the back half of Day 2. They'll surely value Polk's efforts as a blocker and his versatility to play inside, outside, on, and off the line of scrimmage, which would play well next to DJ Moore. Whether the Bears select a wide receiver in the first two rounds or not, I expect Polk to be on the Bears draft board and a real option in the third round.

Pro Comp: Dontayvion Wicks