Do you know what’s funny? I actually thought of him first but then did not think he was their number one receiver so I listed Bourne first. And then just totally left him off the list. What a dummy!
Do you know what’s funny? I actually thought of him first but then did not think he was their number one receiver so I listed Bourne first. And then just totally left him off the list. What a dummy!
3. Blocked by Bills: The Patriots had a trade offer on the table to the Bills late in the first round on Thursday night, according to a source. The Bills were at pick No. 32 (after a trade back with the Chiefs), but instead of dealing with their AFC East rival Patriots for No. 34, they chose Carolina's offer to slide back one spot to No. 33.
Receivers Xavier Legette and Keon Coleman were selected at 32 and 33 before the Patriots traded back from 34, so one can deduce the Patriots had either Legette or Coleman as their target -- or possibly both. My hunch is Legette.
An AFC personnel source opined that Polk's grade among teams likely varied with more volatility than other receivers based on how teams viewed the stiffness in his route running and lack of consistent separation. But his toughness, competitiveness and ball skills are excellent, the source said.
I really wish they got Leggette for the press conferences and sound bites alone.Reiss with some draft notes: https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/40039753/patriots-qb-drake-maye-leadership-mack-brown-nfl-draft-unc
Re: Polk
I assumed the implication is the Bills wanted Coleman and were sure that CAR wouldn't take him, where the Patriots could take Coleman, or even Legette which might lead CAR to take Coleman. It's been an open secret for like a month that CAR wanted Legette BAD.That Reiss note implies that the Bills didn’t want to trade with their feared division rivals the Patriots.
OTOH no problem letting the AFC West Chiefs trade up with them to get 2024 Bob Hayes
Coleman would've been great for this as well.I really wish they got Leggette for the press conferences and sound bites alone.
Bills gotta Bill. If they can't screw themselves one way, they'll damn well find another! I actually think Coleman will be very good, but when Worthy is running wild in Week 1 in the KC offense, it's not going to feel great for their fans.That Reiss note implies that the Bills didn’t want to trade with their feared division rivals the Patriots.
OTOH no problem letting the AFC West Chiefs trade up with them to get 2024 Bob Hayes
Bottom Line
During his introductory video conference last Thursday night, Maye clued in reporters on his favorite area of the field to attack in the passing game.
"I think throwing across the middle. I'm a big 6'5" dude back there where it's a seam shot, big dig, corner routes, corner post, anything across the middle of the field," Maye told reporters.
The Patriots first-rounder was an elite thrower between the numbers in college. He also ranked third among 165 qualified quarterbacks in deep passing grade (96.8).
You can see why the Patriots decision-makers targeted Polk when considering Maye's strengths and weaknesses.
In the clips above, we highlighted Polk running go's, crossers, post-corners, and seams for a reason: the Patriots top two draft picks thrive working the same routes/areas of the field, while Maye's playmaking ability and Polk's magnetic hands can cover up each other's deficiencies.
Yates had Polk 43rd on his board. What a reach!
https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2024/insider/story/_/id/40049684/2024-nfl-draft-best-picks-value-steals-every-round
Loyal listeners of our "First Draft" podcast have heard me wax poetic about Polk as the leader of the "my guys" list for this class. Polk finished 43rd on my board, and I love his excellent hands, route running, toughness and body control. He is a substance-over-sizzle player who just always finds a way to move the chains. He averaged 16.9 yards per catch over the past two seasons with Washington, and Drake Maye will look his way often.
The trouble with Harry is that he couldn't play.