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Their 2024 NFL Draft class will usher in a new era of New England Patriots football. The Patriots hope that Drake Maye can sustain a prolonged period of competitiveness and relevance for the first time since Tom Brady retired. Maye is the headliner of this year's class but he won't be able to do it himself. New England made eight total selections during the 2024 class. Of those eight, Patriots sleeper rookie draft pick Javon Baker may be the most underappreciated newcomer who can make an impact for the club right away.
A circuitous college path
It appeared that Baker was going to be a high-profile college football player with a clean route to the NFL. He was regarded as a four-star prospect in 2020 who committed to the University of Alabama. That 2020 class Baker was a part of included fellow NFL players in Bryce Young, Brian Branch, Drew Sanders, Chris Braswell, and Jase McClellan, among others.
The expectation was for Baker to be a big part of Alabama's program, but playing time was hard to come by. It would be for anybody competing for snaps with the likes of DeVonta Smith, Jaylen Waddle, John Metchie III, and Jameson Williams, among others. Baker wound up totaling just nine receptions for 116 yards and a touchdown in two seasons at Tuscaloosa before entering the transfer portal.
He eventually found himself in Orlando, Florida, and transferred to Central Florida. There, Baker was finally able to showcase his skills. He ran a complete route tree as the Knights' primary receiver and produced from the second he got there. In his first season with UCF, he caught 56 passes for 796 yards and five touchdowns.
Baker actually caught fewer balls in his second year there, but his production actually improved. He racked up 1,139 yards and seven touchdowns as a senior. The 21.9 yards per reception he averaged last season was the most in college football among players with at least 50 receptions. He's a dynamic receiver who can do a little bit of everything.
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Sit down and enjoy 5 minutes and 20 seconds of Javon Baker highlights 🤩
The #Patriots might have drafted a legit weapon.pic.twitter.com/XJpfQbpbza
— Carlos Talks Pats (@LosTalksPats) May 4, 2024
Open depth chart
Baker's path to playing time in the NFL with the Patriots is somehow clearer than when he first enrolled at Alabama. New England's leading receiver last season was sixth-round rookie DeMario Douglas with just 561 yards. He is back and should be expected to start in the slot, but their outside receiver spots are wide open. DeVante Parker held one of those spots a year ago but he has since retired. Kendrick Bourne manned the other but is currently rehabbing from a torn ACL.
Second-round rookie Ja'Lynn Polk should take hold of one those spots and Baker should snag the other. Perhaps Bourne can challenge one of them but that would depend on his rehab going well. But if he isn't ready for the start of the season, the rest of Baker's competition would consist of the likes of KJ Osborn, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and Tyquan Thornton. Those three were able to combine for only 891 yards in 2023.
The Patriots may take their time with Drake Maye, which would make sense. Some said before the draft that sitting and developing his skills would be the best for Maye long term, via ESPN. In addition to that, the situation he's walking into in New England isn't the best. The Patriots' offensive line was one of the worst in the NFL a year ago and didn't get much better this year. They could be starting three first or second-year receivers.
Patience could be the best path to take with Maye, but it shouldn't be with their receivers. That goes for both Polk and Baker. Their veteran competition isn't strong and that experience could be invaluable for them. Polk will garner the majority of the attention as a second-round pick, but it wouldn't be a major shock if Baker outproduced him as a rookie. He's someone to watch from this Patriots 2024 rookie class.
