Is Kendrick Bourne, Ja'Lynn Polk, or Demario Douglas the WR1 for the Patriots?

The New England Patriots offense was a mess once again in 2023. However, a new regime takes over this year, and it brings hope things will change for the better.

The wide receiver group was partly to blame for the offense’s struggles. However, there were a few names who contributed. Kendrick Bourne and Demario Douglas flashed at times during the season. They are viable options to help turn around this passing game. The team also drafted rookie Ja'Lynn Polk with the 37th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. He figures to be a key contributor as well.

So, which player will emerge as the Patriots’ top receiver? Let’s take a few minutes and discuss.

• Quarterback fantasy football rankings
• Running back fantasy football rankings
• Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
• Tight end fantasy football rankings
• Kicker fantasy football rankings
• FLEX fantasy football rankings
• Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
• Superflex fantasy football rankings
• IDP fantasy football rankings
• Dynasty fantasy football rankings

Who is the New England Patriots’ WR1?

This is a tough call to make as this receiving room is completely wide open. Polk is a rookie, and it’s unclear what kind of playing time he will get to start the season. But the team did invest an early-second-round pick in him. The new regime saw something it liked, and there’s hope he can emerge as rookie Drake Maye’s favorite target.

Patriots WR Ja'Lynn Polk showing off the hands and body control on the tough catch here. pic.twitter.com/Kp9kWcqh3X

— Nick Penticoff (@NickPenticoff) April 28, 2024

Bourne had finishes of WR5, WR10, and WR15 before tearing his ACL in Week 8. He is missing the Patriots' offseason program but has said he expects to be cleared for training camp in a few weeks. The club also inked him to a three-year, $19.5 million deal, so it would appear the new regime still wants him involved in the offense.

Kendrick Bourne is torching the Eagles secondary in front of Matt Patricia.

How poetic. pic.twitter.com/gziTq6xE97

— Pats Buzz (@PatsBuzz) September 10, 2023

Douglas was drafted in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft and showed some playmaking ability during his rookie year. His 2023 stats do not blow you away, but he’s an intriguing name for fantasy football purposes.

Day Three Rookie Wide Receivers to post a 22%+ Target Rate and 1.50+ Yards per Route Run on 300+ Routes

[ Amon-Ra St Brown ]
[ Puka Nacua ]
[ Marques Colston ]
[ Mike Williams ]
[ Denarius Moore ]
[ DEMARIO DOUGLAS ]

Pop Douglas is the BEST BET to be Drake Maye’s WR1 pic.twitter.com/XYm5opRHjN

— DynastyIM (@dynasty_im) May 7, 2024

So, who is this team's WR1? For now, we will default to Douglas. He’s healthier than Bourne and has slightly more experience than Polk. Douglas has talent, and if he further hones his craft, he is a sneaky second-year breakout candidate.

Who Should I Draft in Fantasy Football?

With so many unknowns surrounding this receiving room, the easiest way to handle a situation like this is to default to average draft position (ADP). Here’s where this trio’s ADP ranks in National Fantasy Football Championship (NFFC) drafts:

Douglas: 205.99

Polk: 227.19

Bourne: 280.33

Based solely on ADP, Bourne is the preferred play, but his health is up in the air. None of these players are that expensive, though, so if you’ve got a hunch on someone, shoot your shot and take a flier on your guy.

More Fantasy Football Analysis