Tag: Javon Baker

Patriots WR Javon Baker officially signs rookie contract

Grab your popcorn. Patriots WR Javon Baker has signed his rookie contract.

New England Patriots wide receiver Javon Baker officially signed his rookie contract with the team on Friday. The news was confirmed through the Patriots’ official team website.

Baker, a fourth-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft, is expected to play a key role in the Patriots’ revamped offense, which also features rookie Ja’Lynn Polk, along with veterans Kendrick Bourne, DeMario Douglas, JuJu Smith-Schuster, K.J. Osborn and Tyquan Thornton.

It’s a much deeper unit this year, following an abysmal 2023 season where the offense struggled to move the ball.

The team will be counting on immediate production from Baker and Polk with Bourne coming off a torn ACL. Smith-Schuster and Thornton have also struggled to produce on the field.

Baker started his collegiate career at the University of Alabama before transferring to UCF. He has experience playing alongside elite talent at the position, including DeVonta Smith, Jaylen Waddle and John Metchie III.

He exploded in his final season with the Knights with 52 receptions for 1,139 yards and seven touchdowns.

The Patriots are in dire need of offensive playmakers that can help stretch the field on the outside. Baker has the talent to be everything the team ever wanted at the receiver position.

Whether he reaches his ceiling or not at the next level, however, remains to be seen.

PFF lists Patriots’ new-look WR room as one of the NFL’s most improved

The Patriots’ receivers room was listed as one of the most improved in the NFL

Pro Football Focus’ Bradley Locker listed the New England Patriots as one of the teams with the most improved wide receiver rooms, following the 2024 NFL draft.

The Patriots double dipped in the draft at the position in the second and fourth rounds with Washington’s Ja’Lynn Polk and UCF’s Javon Baker. They also added a new tight end with seventh-round pick Jaheim Bell.

The free agency acquisitions got some love as well with the team landing veteran wideout K.J. Osborn and tight end Austin Hooper. All of the moves were made in an effort to ultimately build around rookie quarterback Drake Maye.

For what it’s worth, New England does have returning production as well with top wideouts DeMario Douglas and Kendrick Bourne.

Baker has especially captured attention as a potential X receiver, which is a position the Patriots have been looking to improve for years. Locker wrote:

But the Patriots weren’t done there. Wolf scooped up UCF’s Javon Baker at Pick No. 110, a standout in advanced metrics despite not being a household name in the pre-draft process. Baker is a tremendous deep threat, with his average target coming 17.1 yards downfield during the 2023 season — the third-highest mark among FBS receivers with 80-plus targets. The former Knight has already captured fans’ attention because of some supreme self-confidence, too.

Talking about possibilities is one thing, but the Patriots still have to go out there and prove it on the field. With that said, it’s hard not to get excited about what the rookie group brings to the table.

Jerod Mayo issues challenge to rookie WR Javon Baker

Jerod Mayo has no issues with Javon Baker talking, but he wants to see him back it up on the field

New England Patriots coach Jerod Mayo appreciates Javon Baker’s enthusiasm, but now, he says the rookie wide receiver has to back it up on the field.

After being drafted, Baker told Patriots fans, “Bring your popcorn. I make people in wheelchairs stand up.” The UCF product is part of a revamp of the Patriots’ wide receivers room, and to a larger extent, the entire offense.

He may have a sizable role in the offense itself, as New England gets its first look at its rookies this weekend. Mayo has no problem with Baker’s comments, but he expects him to put in the work on the field.

“Now, once he puts it out there, he has to show every day out there on the football field. If not, he is just a talker,” Mayo said.

Baker certainly has big playmaking ability, as he averaged 22.3 yards per reception last season at UCF. That being said, that big play ability needs to translate to the NFL.

Demario Douglas pleased with rookie additions to Patriots’ WR room

Demario Douglas likes the competition in the Patriots’ new-look receivers room.

New England Patriots wideout Demario Douglas spoke to the media this week and claimed he actually enjoyed the fact that the Patriots added two rookies to the receivers room.

Douglas is determined to make an impact this season, after the organization had a rough 2023 campaign. Now, the offensive unit looks completely different. The wide receivers room in particular got a shakeup, with rookies Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker coming into the fold.

Polk was New England’s second-round pick, with the 37th overall selection in the 2024 NFL draft. Baker was drafted in the fourth round with the 110th overall selection. Both receivers are coming off 1,000-yard seasons with Washington and UCF, respectively. Now, they figure to be a big part of the Patriots offense in the coming years.

Douglas is pleased with what each of them brings to the table.

“We definitely added some dogs to the room,” Douglas said, per The Boston Globe’s Nicole Yang, via NESN.com’s Greg Dudek.

Polk and Baker both undoubtedly have a tremendous skill set. The most important thing—and also where the Patriots have struggled the most over the years—will be developing them.

Two Patriots rookies ranked in ESPN’s top-100 picks in 2024 NFL draft

Two Patriots rookies cracked ESPN’s top-100 draft picks

Two New England Patriots players cracked ESPN’s top-100 picks in the 2024 NFL draft.

Coming in at No. 20 on the list, former North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye, who is positioned to eventually be the new franchise face in New England, was the obvious choice on the list.

He’s has size, a strong arm, great control and the ability to make plays on the move when things break down around him. On a plain sheet of paper, he’s the blueprint of a successful NFL quarterback. His development is the only thing standing between his eventual masterpiece or train wreck.

ESPN’s Matt Miller wrote:

The Patriots are the opposite of the Bears and Vikings when it comes to the offensive surroundings, but the selection of Maye is still one of the best in the class. At just 21 years old, he has considerable talent as a thrower, mover and leader. And if New England hadn’t drafted him, he very likely still would have been selected in the top six via a trade up or by the Giants grabbing him. Maye has the toughness and poise to lead the Patriots through this rebuild.

The other top-100 player was former UCF star receiver Javon Baker, who broke the internet with his post-draft comments.

During his run in college, Baker proved he had the bite to back up his bark with 52 catches for 1,139 yards and seven touchdowns at UCF last season. He has the size and big playmaking ability to emerge as an eventual No. 1 receiving option for the Patriots. The former Knight came in at No. 83 on the list.

Miller wrote:

Baker is a fantastic red-zone threat with the body control and footwork to make a mark in the NFL in his first season. He caught 52 passes for 1,139 yards and seven TDs last season. The Pats knew they needed to add playmakers and went about it over the three days of the draft.

Maye and Baker have a connection through the short time they spent together at the University of Alabama. Baker played with the Crimson Tide for two seasons, while Maye originally committed to the school before he ultimately decided to join the Tar Heels instead.

There’s hope that the reunion between the two could turn the tide from pretender to contender for a Patriots team that finished 4-13 last season.

Patriots LB Matthew Judon loves confidence of rookie wide receiver

Matthew Judon wants Javon Baker to be himself in New England

Matthew Judon wants rookie wide receiver Javon Baker to be himself when he joins the New England Patriots’ locker room.

Baker did not lack swagger after he was drafted. He immediately delivered a memorable quote, as the UCF product looks to make a name for himself in the NFL.

“Bring your popcorn. I make people in wheelchairs stand up,” Baker told Patriots fans.

Judon loves the swagger that Baker brings to the table, as the Patriots look to reignite an offense that ranked 30th in the NFL last year. Baker, alongside rookie Ja’Lynn Polk, could help bring stability to the wide receiver unit once again.

“Don’t do that for the public and the media and then come in here with your backpack on, having your head down,” Judon said, when appearing on “The Money Down” podcast, via NESN.com’s Jason Ounpraseuth. “What is that, man? You just told people in a wheelchair to stand up. Come on, man. Be that, because if you can’t be comfortable at your job, it’s just going to get awkward and you’re going to stop liking the game.”

The swagger of Baker will certainly be a refreshing change on the Patriots’ roster. It’s becoming very clear that the new regime will not do things the same way as the old one.

Hopefully, Baker will be able to produce and back up his proclamations.

Javon Baker says there’s ‘no way’ 10 rookie WRs are better than him

Javon Baker clearly isn’t happy about seeing 10 other receivers get drafted before him

Javon Baker is determined to make the rest of the NFL pay for overlooking him on the draft board.

The New England Patriots’ rookie receiver was taken at No. 110 overall in the fourth round behind 17 other receivers. After being drafted, Baker could be seen on video saying other teams were going to pay for it taking so long for him to be drafted.

In a recent video, he seemed surprised that so many receivers were taken ahead of him.

“No way in [expletive] America 10 receivers better than me. You’re out of your [expletive] mind,” said Baker.

The Patriots selected Ja’Lynn Polk with the No. 37 overall pick in the second round before double dipping at receiver for Baker later. The hope is that Polk and Baker can help uplift a Patriots receiving corps that’s been struggling since Tom Brady was under center.

An argument can be made that the former UCF standout could develop into a true No. 1 receiver for New England, if he reaches his ceiling. The fact that he was the 18th receiver taken off the draft board might be the fuel needed for him to get there.

Patriots coach Jerod Mayo breaks down Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker picks

Patriots coach Jerod Mayo had high praise for his new wide receivers.

New England Patriots coach Jerod Mayo had high praise for his rookie wide receivers Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker, following the 2024 NFL draft.

The Patriots drafted Polk with the 37th pick in the second round. Polk is coming off a career at the University of Washington that saw him record 69 receptions for 1,159 yards and nine touchdowns in his final season with the Huskies.

Baker was a star receiver for UCF. He tallied 52 catches for 1,139 yards and seven touchdowns last season.

Together, they should create a duo that rookie quarterback Drake Maye can work with. Beyond that, they give the Patriots’ wide receivers room depth. Mayo elaborated on what he believes his two young wide receivers bring to the table for the Patriots.

“[Polk is] one of those guys that isn’t afraid to do the dirty work. Sometimes you need those receivers to come in there and kind of dig out support, and he does that at a very high level,” said Mayo. “…He’s one of those guys, smooth route-runner, has good hands, can do a lot of different things, and he’s smart. And that’s one thing that we covet around here.

When switching gears to Baker, Mayo said, “When you talk about Javon, the run after catch. This guy is aggressive, and I would say Baker is all ball.  He’s all ball, which I can appreciate. And you can see the passion come through when you watch him on film.”

At the very least, New England has added fresh bodies to a wide receiver unit that struggled last year. Not only that, they’re doing everything they can to surround their rookie quarterback with offensive talent.

Patriots pass on QB Drake Maye’s favorite target as WR pick

The Patriots had the chance to select Drake Maye’s former teammate but opted for a different receiver.

The New England Patriots used the No. 3 overall pick on former North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye. They have basically handed over the future of the franchise to Maye and that leadership role took effect immediately when, as Maye pointed out, the team was in contact with him about the rest of the picks.

“Yeah, they were kinda keying me in on what they were thinking before they selected them,” Maye said. “I think as a rookie quarterback you don’t expect to have much say.”

This is fascinating information given how the draft played out. The Patriots selected UCF wide receiver Javon Baker with the No. 10 pick in the fourth round. Baker is an Alabama transfer and a solid prospect. But just three picks later, the Baltimore Ravens selected wide receiver Tez Walker. Walker was Maye’s favorite last season at North Carolina.

Did Maye not want his former teammate and favorite target on New England with him or did the Patriots front office make the call without his input?

 

Patriots rookie WR Javon Baker broke the internet with this quote

Rookie WR Javon Baker has a message for Patriots fans

Rookie wide receiver Javon Baker had a hilarious quote following being drafted by the New England Patriots on Saturday afternoon.

“Just come to the home stadium and bring y’all popcorn. That’s all I can tell y’all. Bring your popcorn. I make people in wheelchairs stand up,” Baker said.

Baker is coming off a solid season for UCF that saw him record 52 catches for 1,139 yards and seven touchdowns. He showed his explosiveness in the process, averaging 21.9 yards per catch.

This gives the Patriots another weapon to work with at the wide receiver position, as they look to retool the offense by putting playmakers around quarterback Drake Maye .

There is no doubt Baker is going to bring swagger and explosiveness to the wide receiver position. New England is injecting youth and playmaking ability into the wide receiver room, as a new era of Patriots football begins.