New England quarterback Drake Maye is bummed, as Pats wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk is set to undergo shoulder surgery, which will likely have the Washington product missing the entire 2025 season, as reported by ESPN’s Mike Reiss.
More will be known about the severity of the injury in the coming days, with Reiss noting, “How long the injury ultimately sidelines Polk, and if he could potentially return at some point later in the season, will be contingent on what doctors find in surgery."
Last season's No. 37 overall pick played in 15 games in 2024, totaling 12 receptions for 87 yards and 2 TDs, making little impact.
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While he was never set to be New England's WR1, Polk had value as a depth piece both on the field and in deep fantasy leagues, and now opens up more snaps for other Patriots WRs alongside their up-and-coming QB Drake Maye. Polk's absence will have a trickle-down effect on the entire offense, both on the field and for fantasy football.
Note: All fantasy football projections come from the PrizePicks NFLSZN board — a season-long real money fantasy football game.
How Long is Ja'Lynn Polk Out For?
Ja'Lynn Polk will likely miss the entire 2025 season as he is set to undergo shoulder surgery after injuring it in preseason Week 1. If Polk does return this year, it is likely to be later in the season, and will have little to no fantasy football impact.
Polk's injury opens up the Patriots WR depth chart behind WR1 Stefon Diggs, who will turn 32-years-old in November. WR Kyle Williams is now the front-runner to be the Patriots WR2, with DeMario Douglas in the slot.
Ja'Lynn Polk Injury Updates for Fantasy Football
Here is how Polk's injury affects fantasy football, including the Patriots WR depth chart. It especially will open up more snaps for DeMario Douglas, rookie WR Kyle Williams, and WR Kayshon Boutte.
QB Drake Maye
With the addition of former All-Pro Stefon Diggs, NFLSZN’s board sees an uptick in production from the second-year QB — no surprise, as his top receiver last season was TE Hunter Henry, who had the most receiving yards (674) of his career.
But 674 isn't awesome.
Sure, Maye will look to his tight end once again, but the addition of Diggs bolsters the sophomore's potential, even without Polk in the mix. As long as Diggs remains healthy, there’s no reason to believe Maye can’t outperform his current ADP of QB16.
2025 Drake Maye Projections: 3,299.5 passing yards, 19.5 passing TDs, 11.5 INTs
WR Stefon Diggs
The Patriots' newest WR heads into the 2025 season as FantasyPros WR37. Diggs is currently the 81st player off the board, a relatively high number, as he played only eight games last season.
Diggs recorded 71 receptions in six of his ten NFL seasons, and other than his 2015 rookie year, the only time had had fewer than 735 receiving yards was his injury-riddled 2024.
Polk's absence likely won't have much effect on Diggs' fantasy value. He's Maye's WR1, period, and Polk probably wouldn't have stolen many targets.
2025 Stefon Diggs Predictions: Stefon Diggs: 70.5 receptions, 735.5 receiving yards, 4.5 TDs
WR Kyle Williams
The Patriots drafted Kyle Williams out of Washington State with in the third round, and he may be able to step into a role in Week 1. Williams is a fascinating fantasy football prospect, because he has speed to burn DBs with a 4.40 40-time, but he also has elite route-running skills to create separation.
Paired with last year's No. 3 overall pick at QB, Williams could quickly build a rapport with his young QB and emerge as a favorite target. While 2023 sixth-round pick DeMario Douglas is starting out of the slot, Williams has a chance to be the second wideout on this team and earn legitimate target share.
He's worth a flier late in your fantasy football drafts, though he likely won't get a ton of volume at the start of the year.
WR Kayshon Boutte
The 2023 sixth-round pick is the wild card of the Pats' receiving group. Last season, Boutte exploded with 7 receptions for 117 yards and a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills on January 5, 2025. Facing the Bills two weeks prior, he posted 5 receptions for 95 yards and a touchdown.
This all came after a rookie season in which he managed just 19 yards.
With Polk out of the picture, Boutte could be worth a flier in a 12- or 14-team league. But if Maye spreads the ball, fantasy players in 10-team leagues had best watch the waiver wire.
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