Editor’s note: This is the third story in a 10-part series looking at the most intriguing New England Patriots players ahead of training camp.
• Part 1: Is the starting QB job Jacoby Brissett’s to lose?
• Part 2: Can Demario Douglas develop into a reliable No. 2 WR?
Few Patriots draft picks in the last decade made more dramatic (and probably memorable) entrances to the organization than Javon Baker, the fourth-round wide receiver the Pats selected to bring some deep-play ability to their beleaguered offense.
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After his name was called in April’s NFL Draft, the 22-year-old kicked things off with an Instagram Live in which he lamented that it took too long for a team to draft him (with an extra word thrown in), asked for some celebratory beverages, then proclaimed in a press conference that fans should “bring your popcorn. I make people in wheelchairs stand up.”
In what was a far cry from Bill Belichick’s traditional strategy, new Patriots coach Jerod Mayo didn’t scold or discipline the young receiver for his bombast. Instead, Mayo’s message was simple: You’d better back it up.
Now the stage is set for Baker’s rookie year and first training camp, where he undoubtedly will be one of the team’s most intriguing players. Let’s look at how he got here and what’s to come.
New England got themselves a ballplayer in WR Javon Baker.
Extremely nuanced pass-catcher. pic.twitter.com/LqfVTaJeXW
— Ryan Fowler (@_RyanFowler_) April 27, 2024
History
Baker was a four-star recruit out of high school in Atlanta with the ability to go pretty much anywhere he wanted. He chose Alabama. But after two years with limited on-field reps (he caught nine passes in 21 games for the Crimson Tide), he transferred to Central Florida.
There, Baker took off. In 2023, he recorded 1,139 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in 13 games. He was first-team All-Big 12 and led UCF in receiving.
He made a name for himself with those aforementioned explosive plays, notching five receptions of 50 yards or more.
Why the Patriots drafted him
Even after signing K.J. Osborn in free agency and drafting wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk in Round 2, the Pats still weren’t content with their talent at receiver. So they selected Baker with the 110th pick.
Baker brings value in how he’s different from the rest of the Patriots receivers. The team has so many pass catchers who work best out of the slot or in short-yardage situations.
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That’s not Baker. Last season at UCF, he ranked second among FBS receivers in yards per catch (21.9 yards), and his 21 catches of 20-plus yards ranked fourth.
That’s an important addition for a Patriots offense that a year ago ranked last in the NFL in plays of 10-plus yards and 20-plus yards — and ranked second worst in completions of over 20 yards (only the Panthers’ 31 were fewer than the Patriots’ 34).
The Patriots are hoping Polk becomes their steady Jakobi Meyers-like receiver who does everything right and is a reliable target for a young quarterback. They’re hoping Baker becomes the one who wins deep once the defense creeps up to stop the run.
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X-factor
At the end of each session during the Pats’ spring practices, Polk, Baker and rookie quarterback Drake Maye jogged over to the side field closest to the indoor facility. There, for an extra 15 or 20 minutes, they ran routes alone. No defenders or coaches were running them through plays — just the three of them on their own.
With three rookies hoping to play prominent roles in the offense, chemistry is going to be important. Even if Jacoby Brissett is the starter early, everyone knows Maye is the eventual plan at quarterback.
The extra sessions also serve another purpose. For all of Baker’s success at UCF, he did struggle with some drops (he had more drops over the last two years than touchdowns). His hands will have to improve in the NFL, and any additional work in that department should serve him well.
Reasons for optimism
Baker is a good scheme fit for what coordinator Alex Van Pelt wants to do with this offense. We’ve outlined before how despite passing less overall than other teams, Van Pelt’s offense is expected to throw downfield more than other teams. His scheme loves going deep off of play action and with downfield crossers.
Ideally, Baker has a good enough training camp to earn playing time as, say, the No. 3 wide receiver. Plus, importantly, he’s the kind of downfield receiver the Patriots don’t otherwise have. That should make his path to playing time easier.
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Reasons for concern
The drops are one, but the other is his timed speed (he ran a 4.54-second 40-yard dash). Now, running fast at the combine doesn’t always translate into playing fast with pads on during a game, but that’s not top-end speed that suggests he’s going to be able to pull away deep from NFL cornerbacks.
Plus, to get meaningful playing time in this offense that uses three-receiver sets at one of the lowest rates in the league, he’s probably going to need to be the No. 3 or 4 receiver on the depth chart. That could be difficult considering Kendrick Bourne, Demario Douglas, Osborn and Polk are all ahead of him entering camp.
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What to watch in camp
Let’s highlight two things. It will be interesting to see whether those extra reps with Maye continue after practices. That’s valuable time for a group of rookies to learn the offense with extra reps, but also to show coaches their strong work ethic.
The other is to gauge whether (and, ideally, how often) Baker is converting on his deep chances. The window to make catches in the NFL is typically smaller than in college. Even with a good play design and route, Baker is going to have to make tougher catches downfield than he’s used to.
So as you watch training camp, pay attention to how often he’s converting on those deep chances (and how often drops come into play) since each successful rep there should up his chances of earning meaningful playing time.
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(Photo: Eric Canha / USA Today)
