Can UCF Draft Prospect Javon Baker Help Houston Texans Improve Receiver Corps?

Could UCF Prospect Javon Baker help the Houston Texans improve their wide receiver unit during the 2024 NFL Draft?

Sep 16, 2023; Orlando, Florida, USA; UCF Knights wide receiver Javon Baker (1) runs the ball against / Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports

HOUSTON -- The Houston Texans have not addressed their wide receiver unit this off-season, meaning the franchise will consider adding to the position during the 2024 NFL Draft. The Texans will not be in the running to draft Marvin Harrison Jr. but will be able to find talent starting with their top overall selection in the second round.

The Texans have shown interest in wide receiver Javon Baker. Houston interviewed the UCF prospect at the NFL Combine and will host him for a Top-30 visit.

Baker is entering the draft as a projected Day 2 pick. He is coming off his best collegiate season, catching 52 balls for 1,139 yards and seven touchdowns for the 6-7 Knights in 2023. Baker transferred to UCF after a pair of subpar seasons at Alabama, where he only appeared in 19 games as a member of the Crimson Tide.

Sep 16, 2023; Orlando, Florida, USA; UCF Knights wide receiver Javon Baker (1) runs the ball against / Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports

"When I got on the field at UCF, I just knew I needed to touch the ball," Baker said at the NFL Combine. "I can do a lot to prepare myself. There is always room to improve. But I would love to come in and leave an impact on whichever team drafts me."

Coach DeMeco Ryans was precise when speaking about how he would like to improve the position in Indianapolis. Ryans said he wanted to add a receiver who creates separation and makes plays when needed; the main two attributes that made Baker one of the top wideouts entering the draft.

#Texans coach DeMeco Ryans speaking on what the team is looking for when it comes to adding depth to the wide receiver unit. pic.twitter.com/HAOuYIm0jI

— Coty M. Davis (@CotyDavis_24) February 27, 2024

The Texans will be looking to add to a position group that features Nico Collins and Tank Dell as the team's top two receivers. Baker has the intangibles to help Ryans meet his objectives for the position group while establishing himself as a prominent contributor to boost Houston's offense starting in 2024.

"With the receiver position we're looking for guys who are separators, who can separate, who can find a way to get open," Ryans said. "If you have that one redeeming quality that you can separate, that's what we're looking for, especially that shows up on 3rd down. How do you win 3rd down? How do you stay on the field as an offense and continue to produce and move the ball down the field?

"It's about 3rd down and being able to convert, and the way you convert is guys who are savvy enough to find a way to always get open."