JaLynn Polk vs. Roman Wilson - Who Should I Draft in 2024 Fantasy Football?

Selecting rookie wide receivers in fantasy drafts is always a risk, especially when those rookies don't go in the first round of the NFL Draft. But sometimes, it pays off big time. 

Just look at Puka Nacua and Tank Dell last year. Dell was selected in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, while Nacua was a fifth-round selection. However, both wideouts became fantasy stars in Year 1. 

So, can New England Patriots wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk or Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Roman Wilson make an impact immediately? Should fantasy managers take Polk or Wilson in drafts? Let's dive in and find out.

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Ja'Lynn Polk 2024 Fantasy Football Outlook

The Patriots have been searching for a WR1 over the past few years, but they haven't been able to find one. Well, the team is hoping that Polk can eventually fill that role. 

The 22-year-old was the 37th overall pick (second round) in the 2024 NFL Draft after a strong year in his final college season at Washington. Polk caught 69 catches for 1,159 yards and nine touchdowns in 2023. Now, he has a great chance to be Drake Maye's favorite target in the passing game. 

Ja’Lynn Polk pic.twitter.com/1WoWRloQT4

— 32BeatWriters (@32BeatWriters) June 4, 2024

That makes Polk a sneaky option in the later round of drafts. He could eventually emerge as the Patriots' WR1 while seeing consistent targets in the passing game. Given how the rookie looked at OTAs in June, he could surprise a lot of fantasy managers in 2024. 

Roman Wilson 2024 Fantasy Football Outlook

After trading away Diontae Johnson this offseason, the Steelers replaced him with Wilson. Pittsburgh selected the rookie in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft following his strong final season at Michigan. He caught 48 passes for 789 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2023.

Roman Wilson putting in some work.

So excited to see this dude in the field.#HereWeGo pic.twitter.com/PyYJ2xDF3u

— Baku 🐧 (@Mazursky8895) July 3, 2024

Now, Wilson joins a Steelers offense that is looking for playmakers to step up. George Pickens should serve as the team's WR1, but the rookie could eventually beat out Van Jefferson for the WR2 job this season. That makes the former Michigan star a sleeper pick in the later rounds. 

Who Should I Draft in Fantasy Football?

Both players have sneaky flex value in their first year. However, Polk might be the better selection in drafts this season. The Patriots wideout was the higher selection in the 2024 NFL Draft, and he has the potential to be the WR1 on his own team. As a result, he could be heavily involved on offense right away.  

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