Polk is toast, right?

[Zuma]

The WR room
1. Stefon Diggs
2. Kayshon Boutte
3. Demario Douglas
4. Kyle Williams
5. Efton Chism
6. Mack Hollins / Kendrick Bourne / Javon Baker
7. Ja'Lynn Polk / John Jiles / Jeremiah Webb

You are probably right but this is how I prefer to see it with rose colored glasses

 

[Rob0729]

Is he worth anything if the trading team has to pick up his guarantee?

He got a $9.7 million contract with a $3.8 million signing bonus. His guarantees are nothing at this point. Maybe like $4 million-ish for being under contract for the next three years.

 

[Pape]

You are probably right but this is how I prefer to see it with rose colored glasses

i agree... but as much as i've rattled the cage, mack hollins is a roster lock at this point... Chism though, love his game... we need to keep him

 

[Force Zero Boomer]

A second pick in the preseason of his second year will get more than a 7th. Somebody is going to believe they can fix him. Hell, after failing miserably in the best place in the world to be a mediocre QB, Trey Lance still got the 49ers a 4th after being awful for two complete seasons. I mean it is different because he was a top 3 pick, but he showed more than Polk that he was a complete bust prior to the trade.

It's also a little different because the QB position is most important.

 

[Rob0729]

It's also a little different because the QB position is most important.

Very true, but Polk failed in a horrible offense with horrible coaching where many people used him wrong (more of a X when he should be more of a Z receiver). Lance failed in the dream position for a young QB where Shanahan can turn almost any QB into a productive QB. I think most GMs would think Polk has a better chance of turning around his career than Trey Lance would when Dallas traded for him.

 

[mgteich]

He got a $9.7 million contract with a $3.8 million signing bonus. His guarantees are nothing at this point. Maybe like $4 million-ish for being under contract for the next three years.

What is the additional cost of putting him on IR? I'm not sure there is any.

 

[Grogan14]

Usually a high 2nd round pick gets 2 years before being released. It would be unusual to just let him go for nothing after only one year under terrible coaching in his first year. He has been injured so really has not had a chance to prove himself or disprove himself in TCV this year.

But he was picked under Mayo's regime and several other unexpected occurrences have put him at risk:

1. Emergence of 6th rounder Boutte
2. Emergence of UFA Chism
3. Baker can contribute on ST

If they release him it is likely his career could be resurrected elsewhere when he is healthy...assuming his confidence is not completely shot

 

[maust]

What is the additional cost of putting him on IR? I'm not sure there is any.

There isn't. Unless he is traded, Polk's cost is fixed

 

[rkarp1]

Polk for me is IR perhaps DTR or PS
I do believe he can play, but hasn't had the chance or coaching here as of yet.
he is worth keeping even if on the PS, to find out what he could be

he is guaranteed $4m ish if cut. zero cap savings if cut.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Polk probably would have some worth in a trade, but it would be damaged right now because he is hurt. So a team that might've sent a 4th, might now only send a 5th or 6th because he's injured. At that point, you may be better off just putting him on IR. If you make him one of the two "cutdown day" IR-DTR guys then he can come back midseason without taking up a spot on the 53 for a day.

That said, you don't know if he will be needed by then either. They could optionally just IR him now before cutdown day, use their two IR-DTR spots on other guys, and let him study the playbook all season and get ready for 2026. Two of their WRs likely to be on the 53 this year are in their 30s so there's still a need to continue developing young WRs.

The fact that they have not yet IRed him though gives me the impression that he is a somewhat likely IR-DTR candidate.

FWIW, I don't think anyone has made use of this rule change since it happened, but teams can trade players on IR.

 

[Hyped]

If he only kept his toes inbounds vs. the Seahawks…I think his career would be on a different trajectory right now…

And yes, he is toast unless we I/R him or trade him.

And sup with Bourne? We should also be looking to trade him.

I am OK with rolling out Diggs, Williams, Douglas, Hollins, Chisholm, and Baker this season….we would only need to replace Diggs in the off-season.

 

[Wozzy]

if you cannot compete in a crowded field, the writing is on the wall for Polk...

The WR room
1. Stefon Diggs
2. Kayshon Boutte
3. Demario Douglas
4. Kyle Williams
5. Mack Hollins
6. Efton Chism / Kendrick Bourne / Javon Baker
7. Ja'Lynn Polk / John Jiles / Jeremiah Webb

in the 6 spot, Chism has earned his spot on the roster... Baker has made his case to be here... Kendrick Bourne hasn't... Of the who is more likely to get claimed if released? Bourne will get picked up by another team... at this point i think his time in New England can be summarized as "Hey Thanks, see ya around buddy" ... Baker might sneak through to the practice squad... Chism won't... I think he is the 6th receiver

in the 7 spot, all practice squad players... Polk might pique some interest, but really, he did not do well last year... and being hurt this year? I don't see him having a bright future in New England...

Bourne just has to prove he’s healthy before the end of preseason, the 49ers would trade for him that day. It won’t be a lot but something. Polk if healthy might be a similar deal, a team that liked him in the draft might take a late round flier on him.

I’m coming around to the possibility of them potentially carrying 7 WR’s because at least a few of those backend guys play special teams. That might squeeze a strong safety or some other position off. More likely 6, but 7 WR’s could happen.

 

[TinhWoodhead]

He is hurt alright…. in the head!

 

[Huckleberry1]

@PatsFan2 loves Polk and Baker

Believe it or not he did love Polk and Baker at draft time, but then turned on them when the season started. He railed about Wolf, but failed to mention he wanted them in the draft.

 

[Pape]

Bourne just has to prove he’s healthy before the end of preseason, the 49ers would trade for him that day. It won’t be a lot but something. Polk if healthy might be a similar deal, a team that liked him in the draft might take a late round flier on him.

I’m coming around to the possibility of them potentially carrying 7 WR’s because at least a few of those backend guys play special teams. That might squeeze a strong safety or some other position off. More likely 6, but 7 WR’s could happen.

If you can get a 7th or other late round pick for Bourne, you do it... got no problem with that at all

 

[Ross12]

There isn't. Unless he is traded, Polk's cost is fixed

My understanding is that his cost would actually decrease if placed on IR, as a player will not receive their full annual salary if they are placed on IR before game 1. However.... the difference is most likely negligible.

 

[Love The Drake]

Believe it or not he did love Polk and Baker at draft time, but then turned on them when the season started. He railed about Wolf, but failed to mention he wanted them in the draft.

Personally I’m never a fan of drafting a college number 2 in the first 3 rounds.
His game didn’t excite me, his talk of being the best WR of all time piqued my interest, but his lack of separation, suddenness, explosion, agility, Yac made me quick understand this was like a true value Sanu.

For me the Eye test trumps any stats in college football.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Believe it or not he did love Polk and Baker at draft time, but then turned on them when the season started. He railed about Wolf, but failed to mention he wanted them in the draft.

Patsfan2 changed his mind? No way. I don't believe it..

 

[Ring 6]

Usually a high 2nd round pick gets 2 years before being released. It would be unusual to just let him go for nothing after only one year under terrible coaching in his first year. He has been injured so really has not had a chance to prove himself or disprove himself in TCV this year.

But he was picked under Mayo's regime and several other unexpected occurrences have put him at risk:

1. Emergence of 6th rounder Boutte
2. Emergence of UFA Chism
3. Baker can contribute on ST

If they release him it is likely his career could be resurrected elsewhere when he is healthy...assuming his confidence is not completely shot

I think they are going to figure out a way to keep him around. His draft slot was where most had him, and that translates to a good prospect.
I think the potential of that gets valued more than a guy who will be inactive every week and has less potential.

 

[mgteich]

My understanding is that his cost would actually decrease if placed on IR, as a player will not receive their full annual salary if they are placed on IR before game 1. However.... the difference is most likely negligible.

So, put him on IR and have him as a possibility this year or next, and we save a small amount of money. Sounds like a no-brainer to me unless someone wants to send us a draft pick. Cutting him makes no sense. We have a psid for asset that can be traded at any time or we can wait.