Ja'Lynn Polk versus Adonai Mitchell

[One-If-By-Sea]

Yeah, if Miami can finally get their offensive line right they can go from a paper tiger that folds in the wildcard round to a real contender. It will add toughness to their team.

If Sumiata starts at tackle all season for the Chiefs and they threepeat it will sting also.

All of this ^ will be exponentially worse if Polk develops into what he appears to be already. A good possession WR who maxes out at 800-900 yards a season. We have a bunch of those guys already, a glut of them and we’ll have to make a tough roster decision on cutdown day with similar players like Boutte or to activate Bourne.

Not addressing tackle will go down as the biggest mistake of the offseason.

I am getting the impression that Polk will be solid due to his size and hands. I think he will shine in Y4 and Y5 as he develops with the game. I agree Polk does not look like a game changer.

I am drifting on Boutte and Baker. They seem too slight, easily bump or forced outside, and drop way too many balls. I think PatsFans overrates Boutte and Baker.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Remember that we got a 4 in the trade down so instead of Ladd McConkey, we got Polk and Baker. I m still optimistic about Baker.

Maybe Baker will be good. At the moment he is fading. Let's hope he picks himself up. In the last preseason game Baker was too easily pushed around and dropped balls. He didn't look like an NFL receiver. We will see.

 

[FredFromDartmouth]

You are basing this on what, exactly?

"Ian Rapoport did point out on NFL Network that he heard from several teams that Mitchell came off as being disinterested during meetings."

But it might just have been a blood sugar issue. He may indeed be the steal of the draft, but of course, we will not know who the steals and flops are until well into the season.

Why did Adonai Mitchell plummet in the NFL Draft?

Is Mitchell the steal of the draft, or is there a real problem?

www.sbnation.com

 

[FredFromDartmouth]

Maybe Baker will be good. At the moment he is fading. Let's hope he picks himself up. In the last preseason game Baker was too easily pushed around and dropped balls. He didn't look like an NFL receiver. We will see.

Did I see a report that he was depressed about his drops and fading prospects? Hopefully he pulls it all together in the last preseason game.

 

[FredFromDartmouth]

The Patriots admitted they took Polk too early, but that they tried to trade down and there were no takers, so they took the best remaining WR on their board.

Really? Wow, Polk cannot like hearing this! Anyway, it would appear that Mitchell was not on their board, alas. He seems like exactly what the Patriots need.

 

[Wozzy]

I am getting the impression that Polk will be solid due to his size and hands. I think he will shine in Y4 and Y5 as he develops with the game. I agree Polk does not look like a game changer.

I am drifting on Boutte and Baker. They seem too slight, easily bump or forced outside, and drop way too many balls. I think PatsFans overrates Boutte and Baker.

I see Polk as a pretty advanced guy for his age, he’s is what he is…pretty good already. But I could be wrong and he could improve a lot.

Boutte seems like a similar player to Polk, good in the middle of the field and as a possession guy.

Baker has lost shine because he dropped a long bomb by Maye, but we should keep in mind he was open on that deep play and has made some really tough catches in camp. There’s some recency bias with him. He can improve a lot, we’ll see.

 

[signbabybrady]

Polk has been looking pretty good for us so far. Who cares if there are reports about Adonai looking like a steal. If both turn into good receivers than so be it if Mitchell is the better of the 2. If Polk sucks then there is obviously something to complain about.

We are talking about the 10th and 11th receivers drafted not the first 2. Separating players 10 and 11 from each other in a draft seems kind of like a coin flip to me. Obviously GMs need to trust their process and their choices will reflect on them but let's not act like this was some boneheaded decision.

 

[signbabybrady]

I see Polk as a pretty advanced guy for his age, he’s is what he is…pretty good already. But I could be wrong and he could improve a lot.

Boutte seems like a similar player to Polk, good in the middle of the field and as a possession guy.

Baker has lost shine because he dropped a long bomb by Maye, but we should keep in mind he was open on that deep play and has made some really tough catches in camp. There’s some recency bias with him. He can improve a lot, we’ll see.

The play wound up incomplete but I would consider that to be a plus play for both players as far as preseason evaluation goes. It was maybe an inch from being the most exciting play of preseason. Obviously we want to see that connect but evan with two established stars that's a tough play and doesn't always connect.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

The play wound up incomplete but I would consider that to be a plus play for both players as far as preseason evaluation goes. It was maybe an inch from being the most exciting play of preseason. Obviously we want to see that connect but evan with two established stars that's a tough play and doesn't always connect.

Id rather a young wr have issues with drops than not being able to get in position to make plays. Agree with both of you that its encouraging he had the opportunity to make the play. Baker will have plenty of time to put it together!

 

[40yrpatsfan]

The Patriots admitted they took Polk too early, but that they tried to trade down and there were no takers, so they took the best remaining WR on their board.

The Colts had big success last year with Josh Downs. I watched that kid's UNC highlights and thought he had incredible body control and hands. Couldn't figure out why he went so late.

This isn't the first time the Patriots were forced to take a guy earlier than he was rated. They said the same thing about Cole Strange and Marte Mapu. You cal around and the only thing someone wants to give you for a trade down in the 2nd is a 5th or a 6th. It's not worth it. Especially in a weak draft. If there's a 10% chance that someone takes Polk in the next 10 picks, it's not worth the risk for a 5th or a 6th.

We were sitting at 34. KC moved up from 32 to 28 with Buffalo to get Worthy, and Dallas took Guyton at 29. I think those picks were out of reach unless we wanted to give up our 3rd round pick. The Ravens took a CB at 30. The 49ers took Pearsall at 31, not sure if we tried to trade with SF for him. The Panthers traded up 1 spot with Buffalo to take Legette at 32, who we supposedly wanted. Buffalo then took Coleman at 33, so they managed to trade down twice from 28 to 33 and still get Coleman.

We then decided to pass on McConkey & Mitchell to trade down from 34 to 37, picking up a 4th that became Baker, so that was a solid move. McConkey went at 34, and at 37 we picked Polk over the only other comparable WR (Mitchell) and over any of the next tier of OT's. The next WR taken was 15 picks later (Mitchell at 52), and the next OT taken was Patrick Paul at 55, with 3 other OT's taken near the bottom of the 2nd round. In the early 3rd round at 68, we took Wallace, and the next OT's after were picks 75-77-79 (and no WR's were taken after 68 until 80-84).

In hindsight, we could have taken Patrick Paul at 37, but then our WR options would have been Jermaine Burton or Roman Wilson in round 3, unless we'd been able to trade up to the end of round 2 to take Corley, who the Jets took at 65 and who is kind of a slot guy. That would have cost one of our 4ths that were used on Robinson and Baker. If Polk-Wallace-Baker-Robinson all become starters, I'd say we did all right even though LT is still a problem.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

I see Polk as a pretty advanced guy for his age, he’s is what he is…pretty good already. But I could be wrong and he could improve a lot.

Boutte seems like a similar player to Polk, good in the middle of the field and as a possession guy.

Baker has lost shine because he dropped a long bomb by Maye, but we should keep in mind he was open on that deep play and has made some really tough catches in camp. There’s some recency bias with him. He can improve a lot, we’ll see.

Polk, Boutte, and Baker are all "4.5 guys" so they are not going to gain separation with speed, it has to be route running or size. Polk is a big boy at nearly 6'4" while Boutte is under 6' - I do not see Boutte and Polk as similar. Polk can win with route running, size, and his hands. Boutte is much more limited.

Baker was manhandled on the sideline and dropped the sideline pass in addition to his long ball drop. We need outside guys that are not bullied. Polk might be an outside guy due to his size, but Polk's speed will not scare anyone. Without Thornton or Reagor, we can not stretch the field. Let's hope Thornton's added bulk allows him to fight through contact and avoid injury this year.

 

[Thunderhead]

I heard on the radio something to the effect of: AD Mitchell is the type of dude who will go out until 3-4AM on a Saturday night before a big game, then show up Sunday and ball out. Problem is, the 5-6 teammates who go out with him will be dragging their asses and play like ****.

 

[PatsFan2]

Polk, Boutte, and Baker are all "4.5 guys" so they are not going to gain separation with speed, it has to be route running or size. Polk is a big boy at nearly 6'4" while Boutte is under 6' - I do not see Boutte and Polk as similar. Polk can win with route running, size, and his hands. Boutte is much more limited.

Baker was manhandled on the sideline and dropped the sideline pass in addition to his long ball drop. We need outside guys that are not bullied. Polk might be an outside guy due to his size, but Polk's speed will not scare anyone. Without Thornton or Reagor, we can not stretch the field. Let's hope Thornton's added bulk allows him to fight through contact and avoid injury this year.

Polk is 6'1 not 6'4 he'll be a very good complimentary Receiver. Baker will get his act together when the real bullets fly book it. I have K Boutte as the odd man out among the bunch hopefully he makes the Taxi squad.

 

[Wozzy]

The play wound up incomplete but I would consider that to be a plus play for both players as far as preseason evaluation goes. It was maybe an inch from being the most exciting play of preseason. Obviously we want to see that connect but evan with two established stars that's a tough play and doesn't always connect.

Agreed, I’d also add if Maye was playing with the 1’s and that was Tyquan instead it’s an easy walk-in TD.

 

[Wozzy]

Polk, Boutte, and Baker are all "4.5 guys" so they are not going to gain separation with speed, it has to be route running or size. Polk is a big boy at nearly 6'4" while Boutte is under 6' - I do not see Boutte and Polk as similar..

Polk and Baler are both 6’1,” I don’t know where you got 6’4.” Baker runs like his hair is on fire, he is a lot more physical than Polk. But physically they could be twins.

Boutte is only 5’11” but has some mass to him. He weighs almost as much as these other two guys. He’s also been a pro for a year. I wasn’t a fan of the draft pick at all but he has proven there is more to him than meets the eye. He’s a solid possession or possibly slot guy.

Point being is we have a logjam of “good” not great receivers. When Douglas, Thornton and Osborn/Baler are your likely starters the Polk pick at 2 looks redundant and a bad decision since they don’t have one good starting tackle yet.

 

[upstater1]

We were sitting at 34. KC moved up from 32 to 28 with Buffalo to get Worthy, and Dallas took Guyton at 29. I think those picks were out of reach unless we wanted to give up our 3rd round pick. The Ravens took a CB at 30. The 49ers took Pearsall at 31, not sure if we tried to trade with SF for him. The Panthers traded up 1 spot with Buffalo to take Legette at 32, who we supposedly wanted. Buffalo then took Coleman at 33, so they managed to trade down twice from 28 to 33 and still get Coleman.

We then decided to pass on McConkey & Mitchell to trade down from 34 to 37, picking up a 4th that became Baker, so that was a solid move. McConkey went at 34, and at 37 we picked Polk over the only other comparable WR (Mitchell) and over any of the next tier of OT's. The next WR taken was 15 picks later (Mitchell at 52), and the next OT taken was Patrick Paul at 55, with 3 other OT's taken near the bottom of the 2nd round. In the early 3rd round at 68, we took Wallace, and the next OT's after were picks 75-77-79 (and no WR's were taken after 68 until 80-84).

In hindsight, we could have taken Patrick Paul at 37, but then our WR options would have been Jermaine Burton or Roman Wilson in round 3, unless we'd been able to trade up to the end of round 2 to take Corley, who the Jets took at 65 and who is kind of a slot guy. That would have cost one of our 4ths that were used on Robinson and Baker. If Polk-Wallace-Baker-Robinson all become starters, I'd say we did all right even though LT is still a problem.

All I'm saying is that they thought Polk was rated to be taken later, but they knowingly took him earlier because they didn't want to risk it.

I agree they could've taken Mitchell at any time.

 

[Ross12]

My understanding is that they wanted to trade UP, and had a deal in place with Buffalo to do so, until Buffalo backed out and traded with someone else instead. It's unknown who they were targeting, but it was most likely either Xavier Worthy (who the Chiefs took at #28 after trading up from #32 with Buffalo), Xavier Legette (who the Panthers took at #32 after trading up from #33 with Buffalo), or Keon Coleman who Buffalo took themselves at #33. Since their primary target was gone, they traded down from #34 to #37 and apparently tried to trade down further but had no luck, so took the top guy on their board in Polk, but realistically probably had him rated as more of a mid/late 2nd guy.

Kind of sucks, but Wolf will remember that and probably screw Buffalo at some point in the future.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Polk is 6'1 not 6'4 he'll be a very good complimentary Receiver. Baker will get his act together when the real bullets fly book it. I have K Boutte as the odd man out among the bunch hopefully he makes the Taxi squad.

Yes, you are right. I looked at a bad website. I still think Polk is much more stout than Baker or Boutte.

 

[PatsFan2]

Yes, you are right. I looked at a bad website. I still think Polk is much more stout than Baker or Boutte.

Polk can High point the football very well he and Baker have very good Catch Radius.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Polk and Baler are both 6’1,” I don’t know where you got 6’4.” Baker runs like his hair is on fire, he is a lot more physical than Polk. But physically they could be twins.

Boutte is only 5’11” but has some mass to him. He weighs almost as much as these other two guys. He’s also been a pro for a year. I wasn’t a fan of the draft pick at all but he has proven there is more to him than meets the eye. He’s a solid possession or possibly slot guy.

Point being is we have a logjam of “good” not great receivers. When Douglas, Thornton and Osborn/Baler are your likely starters the Polk pick at 2 looks redundant and a bad decision since they don’t have one good starting tackle yet.

You are right, Polk is 6'1". I looked at the wrong website for the combine stats. Thanks for the correction. I do not see Baker as more physical as he was pushed around at the second preseason game. I am not a Baker fan, I think he is the typical WR that is over hyped by the Boston Sports guys.

Boutte is clearly smaller. Wolf actively pursued WRs, including FAs, at the expense of offensive tackles. Let's hope Wallace is a starting RT next year.