10 Patriots Playing Their Way Out of New England's 2025 Plans

1. Javon Baker

After he was selected with New England's 110th overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft, wide receiver Javon Baker introduced himself to Patriots fans with one of the more memorable draft day quotes in recent years.

Baker was disciplined by the team in early September when he took to Instagram Live after he received a traffic ticket. After head coach Jerod Mayo was adamant that Baker's actions didn't represent the Patriots organization, the rookie followed up with "I don't regret nothing." Needless to say, the optics didn't reflect kindly on New England or Baker.

During the Patriots' Week 7 trip to London, Baker reportedly had a "hiccup" that resulted in him being inactive. Although Mike Reiss carefully crafts his telling of events, it certainly sounds like the rookie wideout missed curfew.

"Before the Patriots can trust rookie receiver Javon Baker on the field, the fourth-round pick from Central Florida needs to earn more trust off it. Baker had a ‘hiccup’ in London last week when it came to following at least one part of the team’s itinerary, according to a team source, and was inactive for a third straight game."

- Mike Reiss of ESPN

Baker has only appeared in three games for the Patriots in his rookie season, playing a grand total of six offensive snaps. He has yet to record a target – let alone a catch. New England's receiver group has left much to be desired this season, making Baker's inability to crack the lineup even more concerning.

Baker reportedly hasn't been able to figure out where to line up properly on the field and has now already been disciplined twice by the team in his short tenure. He has nine more games to pull it together, but he has bust written all over him at the moment.

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