Patriots Training Camp Observations: Rookie Wideout Stacking Days

FOXBORO, Mass. — Ja’Lynn Polk continues to stack days.

The New England Patriots rookie wide receiver was responsible for the nicest catch during Day 6 of training camp at Gillette Stadium on Tuesday. Polk also shredded opposing cornerbacks during a competitive 1-on-1 period, recording three wins in four reps with the only other being a drop at the end of the period.

Polk beat starting cornerback Marcus Jones on his first 1-on-1 rep, an out-breaking route from Drake Maye. He then cooked rookie cornerback Marcellas Dial Jr. on an in-breaking route from Bailey Zappe. Polk also recorded a catch from Jacoby Brissett during the period with his drop coming on a ball from Joe Milton III.

Here is one of the three wins for Ja’Lynn Polk during 1-on-1s. pic.twitter.com/ZOjl8vJAll

— Sean T. McGuire (@BySeanMcGuire) July 30, 2024

Polk followed up his 1-on-1 period with a pair of touchdown catches during red zone 7-on-7s and 11-on-11s. His most notable reception of the day came from Brissett, who threw a perfect ball to the corner of the end zone and Polk out-leaped Wilson in coverage. Polk’s second touchdown came from Milton on a quick out-breaking route at the goal line.

Polk had another catch from Maye during an 11-on-11 period, rebounding after the two rookies were unable to connect on the snap prior — a high throw from Maye on a rollout. The completion came on a shallow crosser in the red area as Polk had a pair of defenders separating himself from the goal line.

While it’s been a struggle for the offensive to find consistency during two padded practices, the contributions from Polk have been a cause for optimism.

Here are more observations from Day 6:

— Matthew Judon was not present. He reportedly was not even at the facility.

Judon did not take part in New England’s first padded practice Monday. He created headlines after his on-field discussion with head coach Jerod Mayo and animated conversation with executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf. Judon, who feels he deserves more than his current contract is set to pay him, seems to be holding out.

— Drake Maye had another below-average day. He wasn’t helped out by the offensive line grouping in front of him, however, specifically backup center Antonio Mafi.

Maye went 5-for-11 in 11-on-11 periods, including a troubling 1-for-6 during the second full-team session. It was a brutal stretch for that Maye-led group as Mafi started it with two low snaps, one of which messed up a timing route from Maye to tight end Mitchell Wilcox. After those two low snaps, Kevin Harris went for what would have been a scoop-and-score by Marco Wilson.

Maye’s unit also was forced to rehuddle during a prior red zone 11-on-11 period.

He played behind an offensive line consisting of, from left to right, Calvin Anderson, Michael Jordan, Mafi, Layden Robinson and Vederian Lowe.

— Jacoby Brissett, who seemed to distance himself from Maye during the first padded practice, was an identical 8-for-15 during competitive periods while being hindered by a drop. The Brissett-led offensive also had to run a lap after a pre-snap miscue during a full field 11-on-11 period.

Brissett had some accuracy issues during an initial 7-on-7 red zone period with misfires to Tyquan Thornton and K.J. Osborn. He did, however, connect with tight end Hunter Henry on a diving touchdown reception on the first snap of red zone 11-on-11s.

— The starting offensive line stayed the same as Monday. Nick Leverett filled in for David Andrews, who was not seen, at center. The line consisted of, from left to right, Caedan Wallace, Sidy Sow, Leverett, Michael Onwenu and Chukwuma Okorafor.

It was a better day for that group.

— JuJu Smith-Schuster, who underwhelmed during the first five days, was more noticeable. The veteran wideout beat Alex Austin and Jonathan Jones during 1-on-1 reps and also drew what would have been a pass interference on Marcellas Dial Jr. on his final 1-on-1 rep.

Smith-Schuster did have a brutal drop on a throw from Brissett during the initial 11-on-11 period, but caught a touchdown from Joe Milton III on an in-breaking route during red area 11-on-11s.

— Tyquan Thornton had a strong practice for a second consecutive day, too. It was good to see from the speedster who has underwhelmed when the pads come on in the past. Thornton won three 1-on-1 battles with catches from Brissett (against Isaiah Bolden), Bailey Zappe (against Azizi Hearn) and Milton (against Marco Wilson).

— The Patriots have an off day Wednesday before they return for Day 7 of training camp Thursday.