The New Orleans Saints have made several moves this offseason that signaled they were playing the long game, but none more than the one they executed on Saturday ahead of a Week 2 showdown with the 49ers.
The team agreed to trade future assets for Patriots WR Ja'Lynn Polk, who is currently on IR due to a shoulder injury. The Saints reportedly sent a 2027 6th rounder to New England in exchange for Polk and a 2028 7th rounder.
The 6-1, 203-pound Polk was a popular name coming out of Washington and went No. 37 overall in the 2024 draft. He had significant opportunity as a rookie but failed to take much advantage, appearing in 15 games but logging just 12 catches for 33 yards, though he did haul in a pair of touchdowns. The coaching regime leading Polk in his rookie season was replaced, with Jerod Mayo fired and replaced by Mike Vrabel.
Polk is not expected to return to the field until 2026. It's the third trade of the offseason for the Saints and the third that signaled a build for the future. The other two were for players who have already contributed in WR Devaughn Vele from the Broncos (a 4th and future 7th) as well as OT Asim Richards (a 2028 6th in exchange for Richards and a 2028 7th). Both players filled significant needs, with the Saints lacking a big-bodied target in the passing game and following a season-ending injury to swing tackle Landon Young.
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Polk, 23, will be under contract through the 2027 season and provides some controllable depth for a team that will have some significant contract questions to answer after this year. The team picked up WR Chris Olave's 5th year option, but the extension conversation will pick up well before that season plays out if he's able to get through the 2024 campaign health. Meanwhile speedster Rashid Shaheed is in the final year of his current 2-year extension and could demand a significant market based on exploding contract values at the position.
The Saints will be betting their culture will help Polk reach his potential in ways the Patriots could not, but that won't be a factor for the 2025 group. This version of the roster will be back on the field Sunday as they search for their first win against a banged-up 49ers roster. That game will kick off at noon in the Caesars Superdome. Catch all the action on WWL and Audacy.