D.C. Defenders Sign Former NFL First Round Pick CB Deandre Baker
UFL teams continue to add intriguing names to their 75-player rosters heading into training camp next month. The latest acquisition for the D.C. Defenders is former New York Giants and Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Deandre Baker.
The 2019 first-round selection and consensus All-American out of Georgia has seen his NFL career stall due to off-field and injury issues since turning pro. He was last in the NFL with the Chiefs in 2022.
As a senior at Georgia, the 5-11, 193-pound cornerback won the Jim Thorpe Award, given to the best defensive back in the country. Over his entire four-year tenure with the Bulldogs, Baker only allowed one touchdown.
Baker's NFL career has not gone as many envisioned. He has played three seasons in the National Football League and started in 17 games, 15 of which came in a promising rookie campaign for the Giants in which he recorded 61 tackles and eight pass breakups.
However, Baker's first year in the NFL with the Giants took a negative turn when he was arrested under charges of aggravated assault and armed robbery. As a result of the arrest, Baker was placed on the commissioner's exempt list and was eventually released by New York.
The charges against Baker were ultimately dropped due to findings that he was being extorted by his accusers' lawyer, along with the alleged victims recanting their sworn statements.
Baker's exoneration, though, wouldn't lead to redemption. Only more misfortune followed after he was reinstated by the NFL.
The Chiefs signed Baker to their practice squad. Just as he was starting to make his presence known, Baker broke his femur on a non-contact play against the Chargers in 2021, becoming only the second NFL player to suffer that gruesome injury during a game.
Baker was able to recover but didn't regain his previous form. Eventually, the Chiefs released him during the summer of 2022.
The United Football League and the Defenders are giving Baker another shot at redemption.
The DC Defenders Secondary now consists of 5 Former NFL Draft Picks 👀
— UFL Analyst - Michael Del Negro (@uflanalyst) January 26, 2024
Gareon Conley
Deandre Baker
D.J. Swearinger
Montae Nicholson
Isaiah Johnson pic.twitter.com/DLcY5Th1PG
From a pro football resume standpoint, the Defenders have arguably the most accomplished secondary in the UFL. With the addition of Baker, D.C. now has five former NFL draft picks.
Joining Baker are fellow former NFL first-round draft pick Gareon Conley (2017), Isaiah Johnson (4th round, 2019), and safeties Montae Nicholson (4th round, 2017) and D.J. Swearinger (2nd round, 2013).
Defenders director of player personnel Von Hutchins is hard at work putting the finishing touches on Gregg Williams' defense before camp arrives on Feb. 24.
D.C. Defenders UFL Super Dispersal Draft Breakdown
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Mike Mitchell is a pro football writer/insider with decades of experience covering and following multiple leagues. He covers the New York Jets for TheJetPress.com at FanSided. He has also written for XFL Board and at Hub Publishing covering the CFL, XFL and USFL.