Javon Baker Makes Bold Statement About 2024 WR Draft Class

New England Patriots fourth-round pick Javon Baker has already become a fan favorite after his comments about his draft slide. 

The former UCF star wide receiver used some colorful language [NSFW] about him falling in the draft to the fourth round saying, “Took to fxxxxxx long…Y’all finna pay.” The Pats utilized multiple picks to address the wide receiver core as they selected Ja’Lynn Polk in the second round with the No. 37 overall pick.

Well, the 6-foot-1 wide receiver had more to say about where he was drafted in a video posted on Instagram.

“No way in f***ing America 10 receivers better than me,” Baker said. You’re out of your f***ing mind.”

Baker was the 19th receiver taken in this year’s draft but has a chance to make an immediate impact with the Patriots this coming season. Last year at UCF, the 6-foot-1 wide receiver had 52 receptions for 1,139 receiving yards (career-high) and seven touchdowns. Baker also averaged a career-best 21.9 yards per catch.

Based on this last two years at UCF and how he performed in the all-star game circuit, it's surprising to see Baker get selected in the fourth round. However, with this year's draft class being so top heavy, there were multiple wide receivers that slid down the board.

Looking at the Patriots’ wide receiver unit post-NFL draft, there’s an easy pathway for Baker to get on the field. New England re-signed veteran Kendrick Bourne, a reliable pass catcher when healthy. The Pats also have Demario Douglas, who had an outstanding rookie season in 2023 as a sixth-round pick.

Then there’s Juju Smith-Schuster and K.J. Osborn, who signed a one-year, $4 million contract in free agency. That said, Baker will have training camp and preseason to show that the other 31 teams made a mistake by not taking him earlier in the draft.

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