Why are the Saints trading for an injured wide receiver?

The New Orleans Saints are set to host the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2 of the 2025 season, as they look to defeat a beat up 49ers team that will be without Mac Jones and George Kittle. Ahead of that, though, the Saints made a questionable trade.

The Saints trade for Patriots WR Ja'Lynn Polk

The Saints have acquired wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk from the New England Patriots, as first reported by Dianna Russini.

"The Patriots are trading WR Ja’Lynn Polk and a 2028 7th-round pick to the Saints for a 2027 6th-round pick, per sources," Russini reports. "Polk is currently on season-ending IR recovering from a shoulder injury."

The most obvious question here, though, is why? Who and what does this help? The Saints won't have Polk until 2026. All New England acquired in exchange for him is a pick that will likely be a current third-string tight end on a Conference-USA team, and they spent a second-round pick on Polk in the 2024 NFL Draft - so why do it if you're the Saints?

This is a clear bet on tools and pre-draft evaluation. Polk was projected to be one of the top receivers in the 2024 draft class, and failed to look like anything resembling that as a rookie, catching just 12 passes. A lot of that can be chalked up to the Patriots' lackluster offense and leadership in 2024. He was a great route-runner while at Washington, and one of the better jump ball receivers in the country. Take this scouting report from Lance Zierlein as what the Saints are chasing with this move:

"Wideout with good size who posted a productive final season to build upon during the draft process," Zierlein writes. "Polk might not have the early acceleration to overtake and stack NFL press corners. He also lacks ideal suddenness getting in and out of his breaks as a route runner. He runs routes with consistent pace -- including through his stems and turns -- which can create some freedom. However, Polk shines once the ball goes up. He can carve out space near the boundary, catch with strong hands when contested and track and finish when he heads deep. Polk's speed proved slightly below average at the NFL Scouting Combine, but his other numbers were strong enough for him to receive consideration starting late on Day 2 of the draft."

The Saints are hoping when he is healthy, he will showcase the abilities he had while with the Huskies. When looking at the current collection of Saints pass-catchers, what can it hurt?

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