New England Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt is still optimistic about rookie receivers Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker, despite their first-year struggles at the NFL level.
It's clear the year hasn't gone the way anyone expected for either rookie receiver. Polk has 12 catches for 87 yards and two touchdowns on the season, while Baker has been targeted twice with no recorded statistics.
The microscope has been on Polk in particular due to him being outplayed by several other rookie wideouts.
“It’s tough. Like I’ve said before with [Polk], coming in as a rookie you don’t always light it up in your first year," Van Pelt told media members.