The New England Patriots did their best to give second-year quarterback Drake Maye more weapons on the outside with their moves in free agency and through the NFL Draft. While it's still early, the returns following OTAs and minicamp suggest the front office accomplished its goal.
That leaves one recent draft pick made by the former coaching staff in a precarious position as we approach the start of training camp. Conventional wisdom can be thrown away when it comes to roster decisions made by a new coaching staff. While the 2024 draft pick will have an opportunity to prove his worth on the practice field, one receiver must show that his production can match what his draft slot was if he wants to make Mike Vrabel's final 53-man roster.
Patriots' Javon Baker Couldn’t Buy His Roster Spot Even if He Wanted to
New England selected Javon Baker out of the University of Central Florida with the No. 110 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Typically, a player selected in that range is expected to make a meaningful contribution of some kind to the roster during their rookie season.
For one reason or another, that was not the case for Baker as he reeled in one reception for 12 yards on four targets over the 11 games he appeared in as a rookie. Now, he enters training camp under a new coaching staff, having already received all the guaranteed money that was attached to his rookie deal.
There is very little job security for Baker at this time, and that was amplified by comments from ESPN's Mike Reiss during the team's minicamp, as the former UCF standout wasn't even mentioned in a comment concerning wide receivers who are locks or still have work to do to make the Patriots final roster.
Random Patriots question heading into the weekend: Where might WR Ja’Lynn Polk fit in a crowded group?
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) June 13, 2025
Some thoughts:
🏈 Limited through spring after undergoing shoulder surgery, so first question is if he will start camp on PUP
🏈 My current WR locks: Stefon Diggs, Mack… pic.twitter.com/zp5yYRq28O
With the additions of Stefon Diggs, Kyle Williams, and Mack Hollins to the wide receiver room, consistent play from Kayshon Boutte and Kendrick Bourne, the presence of 2024 second-round pick Ja'Lynn Polk, and the emergence of Efton Chism III, there aren't many slots remaining for Baker to feel comfortable in his skin without a standout showing during training camp and the preseason.
Releasing a fourth-round pick from the previous year would be a bold move no matter how you swing it. However, with all of these things working against Baker after a subpar showing as a rookie, he is going to have to earn his spot as one of the 53 players to survive the final cuts in New England.