After selecting former Washington receiver Ja’Lynn Polk in the second round on Friday night, the Patriots drafted another receiver: Javon Baker.
In the fourth round of the 2024 draft, the Patriots acquired the former UCF wideout.
“There wouldn’t be a better opportunity and a better place to go to than this place,” Baker told the media.
The 6’1, 208-pound receiver started his college career under Nick Saban at Alabama. With the Crimson Tide, he appeared in 19 games over two years. However, he didn’t get many opportunities to prove himself, as he only caught nine catches for 116 yards and a score.
After his stint in Alabama, he moved to Central Flordia, where he started in 24 games, catching 108 receptions for 1,935 yards and 12 touchdowns. He earned First-team All-Big 12 honors and continued to impress scouts with the Knights.
Baker is a true “X” receiver and has the ability to come down with a majority of contested catches. He also has plenty of confidence as he went live shortly after the Patriots drafted him, saying, “took to [expletive] long… I’ll make them pay.”
When speaking with reporters on Saturday afternoon, he said, “Bring y’all popcorn. I make people in wheelchairs stand up.”
Baker was the 17th receiver taken in this year’s draft and was projected to lower then he ended up.
“Honestly, there’s going to always be a chip on my shoulder no matter what,” Baker said. “I’m self-driven. I know how it feels to be behind somebody, I know how it feels to be bottom of the depth chart. So, I’m going to always have a chip on my shoulder regardless.”
My name is Ben Belford-Peltzman and I am the creator and writer of The Patriots Beat. I am a 17-year kid who is an optimistic pessimist about the City of Champions. I started The Patriots Beat in August of 2022 and never expected to grow so much but here we are. Feel free to email Thepatriotsbeat@gmail.com with any inquires.
