Ja'Lynn Polk WR Washington | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Ja'Lynn Polk WR Washington
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
ROLE: Multi-Role Receiver | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Last Updated: 04/21/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Draft Year: 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
40 time: 4.52 seconds (44%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Age: 22.8 DOB: 04/11/2002 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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ROLE: Multi-Role Receiver | |
Last Updated: 04/21/2024 | |
Draft Year: 2024 | |
40 time: 4.52 seconds (44%*) | |
Age: 22.8 DOB: 04/11/2002 | |
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Overall Rating: | 85.4 / 100 | |
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Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
Defense Rating: |
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78% |
Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
QB Rating When targeted: | 116.4 | |
Hands: |
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75% |
Short Receiving: |
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72% |
Intermediate Routes: |
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82% |
Deep Threat: |
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84% |
Blocking: |
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58% |
DRAFT PROJECTION:
2nd - Late
Overall Rank:
#65
Position rank:
#14
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College Games: 40 College Snaps: 1850 | ||
College Combine Results
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Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
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Romeo Doubs - Nevada |
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86% |
Jalen Tolbert - South Alabama |
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85% |
Rashee Rice - SMU |
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83% |
Drafted: ROUND: 2 - Pick Number: 37 (NE)
Draft Profile: Bio
Ja'Lynn Polk from Lufkin High School was rated a 3-star recruit by ESPN and handed a 3-star grade by 247 Sports. After high school, Polk opted to join Texas Tech.In 2020 as a freshman Polk saw action in 10 games for the Red Raiders as he made 28 receptions for 263 yards for an average of 9.4 yards per reception, with 2 TDs, and QB rating when targeted of 98.9.
After season's end Polk transferred to Washington where as a sophomore in 2021 he played in just 3 games and had only 5 catches for 114 yards for an average of 22.8 yards per catch, with one TD, and an elite QB rating when targeted of 153.3.
As a junior in 2022 he played 12 games and hauled in 38 catches for 649 yards for an average of 17.1 yards per catch, with 6 TDs, and QB rating when targeted of 103.9.
As a senior in 2023 he played 13 games and had 60 catches for 1000 yards for an average of 16.7 yards per catch, 8 TDs, and an elite QB rating when targeted of 121.6.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Renowned for his exceptional hand strength, Polk displays a remarkable ability to secure and maintain control of the ball in contested catch situations
- His superior ball skills and body control make him a reliable target.
- Displays physicality in routes and at the catch point, using his size/strength to overpower defenders.
- Boasts an impressive catch radius and excels at high-pointing excellent red zone targets.
- Demonstrates excellent balance and a tenacious running style, had good RAC ability
- Nice route precision and ability to quickly shift from receiver to runner
- Proven effectiveness both inside as a slot receiver and on the perimeter, versatile playmaker
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Lacks top-level burst and acceleration in open-field plays, potentially affecting his ability to create separation against faster pro DBs
- Needs to refine technical aspects, especially hand usage in press coverage, to adapt to the sophisticated defenses of the NFL.
- Polk sometimes shows inconsistency in maintaining focus and concentration, leading to occasional dropped passes or missed opportunities on the field.
- His route tree, while versatile, can benefit from expansion and refinement to fully exploit defensive weaknesses at the professional level.
Scouting Report: Summary
Ja'Lynn Polk presents a compelling case as a wide receiver prospect. His time at Washington has showcased his ability to be a reliable secondary option in the Washington offense. Polk's route-running stands out; he's nuanced and deceptive, able to keep defensive backs off-balance with his quick stops and sharp cuts. His proficiency in creating short-field leverage opens up opportunities for big plays, even against tighter coverage.Polk's physical tools are impressive. He demonstrates excellent body control and hand strength, allowing him to make challenging catches seem routine. This skill set enables him to effectively compensate for less-than-ideal throws, turning potential incompletions into receptions. His catch radius is a significant asset, particularly in contested situations. While his speed is adequate, it's not elite, and he sometimes struggles against physical press coverage. Expanding his release package and enhancing his play against contact at the stem will be crucial for his transition to the NFL.
In terms of after-catch potential, Polk has room for growth. While he shows agility in making defenders miss in one-on-one situations, he hasn't fully realized his potential as a run-after-catch threat. His physicality and balance are assets, but he needs to make smarter decisions in the open field to avoid running backward and losing yardage. As a blocker, Polk is willing but could bring more intensity and consistency. Overall, Polk's blend of ball skills, physicality, and route-running intelligence makes him a solid prospect who could be a nice starting number two receiver at the next level
Ja'Lynn Polk percentiles vs other Wide Receivers (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate Ja'Lynn Polk (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
63.8
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
16.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.