New England Patriots rookie wide receiver Javon Baker’s incredible potential was evident from the start. Just ask former McEachern High School coach Franklin Stephens about his first impressions of Baker.
“When I first met him, I thought he was a very talented, gifted kid,” Stephens told NESN.com. “You’re thinking in the back of your mind, ‘Alright, this is a kid that has pro talent.’”
Baker immediately sparked the offense for McEachern, catching 23 passes for 349 yards and four touchdowns as a freshman in 2016. Those numbers would increase as time went on.
Baker had his best year as a senior under Stephens in 2019, when he tallied 58 catches for 609 yards and 11 touchdowns. He continued to establish himself as a big-play threat, averaging 10.8 yards per reception that year.
The talented young wideout was a tremendous playmaker in college at UCF, too, tallying 2,051 yards and 13 touchdowns in his two-year run with the program.
So it’s no surprise the Patriots decided to use a fourth-round pick on him in the 2024 NFL draft.
He was one of two rookie wideouts selected by the team with hopes he could help revitalize the wide receiver room.
The Patriots are banking on his big-play ability following him to the next level. They have desperately needed a playmaker capable of filling the X-receiver position as a downfield threat.
Perhaps Baker is the player who finally helps them fill that role.