Patriots WR Javon Baker already proving to be a steal

The Patriots didn't land Javon Baker until the fourth round, but he's already paying huge dividends in New England

May 11, 2024; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Javon Baker (6) makes a catch at the New England Patriots rookie camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports / Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

The New England Patriots are set to enter the season featuring two rookie wide receivers in 2024 NFL Draft second rounder Ja'Lynn Polk and fourth rounder Javon Baker.

And through the early parts of training camp, it is Baker who is proving to be a steal for the Patriots, putting together quite an offseason highlight reel as he tranisitions from the University of Central Florida to the NFL. Catching passes from both Jacoby Brissett and Drake Maye, Baker is proving to be a much savvier route runner than he was asked to be in UCF's predominantly vertical attack.

This was evident at the NFL Scouting Combine when he put the full route tree on display, looking smooth getting in and out of breaks he was not familiar with in Gus Malzahn's offense, and that is now carrying over in New England as well.

He's even grabbed the attention of former Pro Bowl wideout Dez Bryant. Breaking down a clip of Baker winning a one-on-one at camp, Bryant sung the praises of the fourth round rookie:

The wideout first step was a slight out hard inside to get the defender to move off his spot… he reset the stem to control the defender to win on the slant https://t.co/LHZdKYbjmU

— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) August 2, 2024

There is no doubt Baker will have plenty of opportunities as a rookie, short of a trade for star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, so he and Polk will have to shoulder a ton of the load with veteran Kendrick Bourne for Brissett and Maye. Thus far, however, it looks like the Patriots nabbed a good one.

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