Grading The 2024 New England Patriots Draft

5. Fourth Round (110th Overall): Javon Baker, WR, UCF

The Patriots doubled up on the wide receiver position here in the fourth round after selecting Ja'Lynn Polk in the second. Receiver was a primary position of need coming into the draft, and many Pats fans were looking for the team to double up on wideouts. Well, luckily the front office appears to be in agreement.

Grade: A

A 6'2", 208-pound receiver, Baker began his career at Alabama before transferring to UCF, where his production absolutely exploded. In his two years with the Knights, Baker caught 108 passes for 1,935 yards and 12 touchdowns He was named first-team All-Big 12 during UCF's first season in the conference.

Ranked as ESPN's 16th-best receiver and 87th overall prospect, New England got themselves a little bit of a steal in the fourth round. Interestingly, new quarterback Drake Maye and Javon Baker have history, as Maye was initially committed to Alabama out of high school before flipping to UNC. During that time, Maye and Baker worked together.

"When Drake Maye was committed to ‘Bama at first, we always used to practice and throw around. Me and Drake Maye got a connection going on. Drake Maye… in my opinion, the best quarterback in this draft."

- Javon Baker

Maye reached out when Baker was drafted, and the pair are apparently already ready to get to work. Baker has also not exactly shown a lack of self-confidence since being drafted by New England, dropping one of the more memorable quotes in recent draft memory.