After an underwhelming rookie season for Patriots wide receiver Javon Baker, he returned to camp in a better mindset and with more professionalism as he competes for a roster spot on what is a new and improved Patriots team.
In 2024, Baker finished with only one reception on four targets for 11 yards and scored a touchdown in 11 total games. His production did not live up to the hype that he had advertised for himself when he said that he would “make people in wheelchairs stand up” after being drafted in the fourth round.
Since Baker has returned this summer, he’s more mature, honed in on his craft, and made a routine for himself to work with wide receivers coach Todd Downing before practice, and then he gets in extra work after practice.
“Extra minutes after practice. I get with Coach Todd [Downing] every morning at 8 o’clock. We do that every morning. I kind of get where I’m going to go and the plays we’re going to run.”
Although Baker has seen action at receiver during training camp, he’s shown to be a great gunner on the punt team and could likely also see run as the jammer on the punt return team.
Javon Baker making plays on the punt team as a gunner. #Patriots pic.twitter.com/I795DNgBcv
— Justin Trombino (@Trombino20) August 9, 2025
Mack Hollins Had Words of Encouragement for Patriots WR on the Roster Bubble
In a press conference on Sunday, veteran receiver Mack Hollins expressed some of the advice and words of encouragement that he shared with Baker on doing whatever it takes to be on the team.
“Telling Javon it doesn’t matter how you stay on the bus, it just matters that you’re on the bus. Then you get opportunities if somebody were to get hurt or miss a game and then you get to play offense like you want. Everyone wants to play offense, everyone wants to play defense, but there’s only so many spots. So if you can find a way to at least get a chance to get on that spot- take it every time.”
Although Baker would primarily be a specialist, he’ll also be at the bottom of the wide receivers depth chart. And as Hollins explained, there are going to be inevitable variables that happen during the season that could get Baker’s number called as a receiver in a game this season.
A similar player comparison to this situation is with Matthew Slater, who was listed as a wide receiver for his entire career, but he was primarily a specialist and went on to become one of the best special teamers in NFL history. Slater, however, would see the occasional snaps as a receiver when the team needed him the most.
I’m not saying Baker is going to become Slater, but the situation is similar. For now, Baker can help the team more on special teams than as a weekly wide receiver.