Hold on, you’re telling me the New England Patriots are actually picking offensive players in the draft? That’s an absolutely alien concept. A new era in New England has started. New de-facto general manager and director of scouting Eliot Wolf and Jerod Mayo are making their mark on this team with head coach and de-facto general manager Bill Belichick gone.
The New England Patriots have added two wide receivers to the team in the 2024 NFL Draft. And boy, they need them badly. The Patriots have had subpar wide receivers the past couple of seasons. Ever since Julian Edelman retired, it’s been a struggle for the team to find a true number-one wide receiver. Are these two guys going to be stars for the Patriots? It remains to be seen, but at least the team has more (and hopefully better) options for their first-round pick Drake Maye to throw to.
New England Patriots Draft UCF WR
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The New England Patriots drafted University of Central Florida wide receiver Javon Baker with the 110th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. This is the Patriots fifth pick in the draft.
The team previously selected North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye with the third overall pick, Washington wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk with the 37th pick, Penn State offensive tackle Caeden Wallace with the 68th pick, and Texas A&M offensive guard Layden Robinson with the 104th pick.
This was graded an A+ pick by CBS Sports. Analysts love Baker’s ability to make contested catches and his awesome ability to make big plays. CBS Sports NFL analyst Chris Trapasso wrote Javon Baker is a “future No.1 wideout”. Baker originally played at SEC powerhouse Alabama during his first two college seasons before transferring to UCF.
Javon Baker’s College Stats
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The fourth-round pick didn’t get much action with the Crimson Tide, playing only four games with the team in two seasons. Baker recorded nine receptions for 116 receiving yards, one touchdown, and an average of 7.3 yards per catch.
After transferring to UCF for his final two seasons, the wide receiver flourished, catching 108 passes for 1,935 yards, 12 touchdowns, and an impressive average of 21.9 yards per catch in 27 games. He was also named a first-team All-Big 12 selection as a senior in 2023.
Javon Baker is described as a somewhat raw prospect and can stretch the field vertically. He ran a 4.54 time in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. His vertical jump was 37 inches and his broad jump was 10 feet and one inch. Despite the UCF Knights going 6-7 in the 2023 season, Baker shined and led the team in receiving yards, and average yards per game.
Will The New England Patriots Be More Competitive?
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Javon Baker now adds to an improving wide receiver core for the New England Patriots. After having 2023 sixth-round pick Demario Douglas be the number-one wide receiver for much of the season after Kendrick Bourne tore his ACL eight games in, the Patriots wide receiver room is getting stronger. The New England Patriots will finally have some good offensive talent around their quarterback.
I think Mac Jones could have done better if he had better receivers to throw to and wasn’t always getting a new offensive coordinator, or lack of one, see Matt Patricia. This is hopefully a fresh start for the New England Patriots and they can be more competitive in the increasingly strong AFC East. It’s still going to be an uphill battle but having good wide receivers, a quarterback, and a strong offensive line certainly helps. Their defense is already elite, keeping the team slightly competitive in games this season. With defensive stars like Matthew Judon and 2023 first-round pick Christian Gonzalez returning, this Patriots defense will be a force to be reckoned with!
The Patriots are going to need all the help they can get if Aaron Rodgers is able to play more than a few snaps for the New York Jets this season. The New England Patriots are going in the right direction in this draft and are finally addressing their team needs after so many unproductive drafts under Belichick.
About The Author
Cooper Sherman is an avid NFL fan and enjoys watching and covering it the most. The NFL is king. He previously wrote and was a podcaster for the online publications Pro Sports Fanatics and Jersey Column. He is also an NBA fan and watches it occasionally, more when the NFL season ends. Tennis is also an underrated sport to watch. His teams are the Patriots and Celtics, as tough as it is to be a Patriots fan right now. He is optimistic that Jerod Mayo will turn this team in the right direction! Follow him on Instagram and Threads @coopstershermy456, and X/Twitter @justcoopthings.
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