The Patriots had a few different difficult choices on Tuesday they had to reconcile. Did Anfernee Jennings and Kyle Dugger perform well enough to justify being on the team despite scheme fit issues? How would they settle the offensive line overhaul? And lastly, how many wide receivers would they carry?
The questions were answered just before the cut down deadline. Both Jennings and Dugger proved too talented to release without compensation. Veteran Cole Strange was the odd man out on the offensive line. Finally, the Patriots went deep in the wide receiver room, keeping 8eight receivers on the 53-man roster.
Most teams carry six or seven receivers, depending on talent and depth. Eight receivers are a lot and come Week 1, the most likely to see action are 5 of them. So that's 3 inactives right off the bat. There are a few no-brainers, Stefon Diggs, DeMario Douglas, Kyle Williams, Kayshon Boutte and Mack Hollins all seem like safe bets to be active. Efton Chism showed enough to make the roster and may not have made it to the practice squad if cut. That leaves Javon Baker and Kendrick Bourne as the potential headscratchers.
Bourne makes a little more sense making the roster. He's performed well in the past, he provides a veteran presence and when healthy, can act as a security blanket for Drake Maye. Baker, on the other hand, has not come close to living up to his potential. Baker had one catch in three games. For a guy who was on the bubble, that isn't good enough. Compare that to Chism, who was a long shot to make the roster and had 12 catches during the preseason.
Javon Baker Unlikely to Suit Up for the Patriots at All This Season
Let's look at the 2024 Patriots draft class. Drake Maye seems to be a hit. Ja'Lynn Polk may have been cut if he wasn't put on injured reserve. Cadean Wallace is a backup lineman. Layden Robinson was cut. Javon Baker might be the 53rd man. Marcellas Dias is on the Injured reserve and Joe Milton is in Dallas. Not exactly "nailing it".
Maybe Baker needs more time to develop, but those early returns say otherwise. Maybe Eliot Wolf asked for a favor and asked to keep Baker around, so his 2024 draft class wouldn't look like a colossal failure. There is hope that Baker's speed provides some value on special teams. That could have been completed by keeping an extra cornerback, where the Patriots are only carrying five players at the position.
It stinks to give up on young draft picks, but sometimes it is better to cut your losses and move on. It wasn't like Baker was lighting it up, so he probably could have been signed to the practice squad. The Patriots are in a prime position to make some moves on Wednesday with waiver claims, and it wouldn't be a surprise if Baker's name was the corresponding move on that transaction.