Analyzing Fourth-Round WR Javon Baker’s Fit in the Patriots Offense

The Patriots needed an aggressive approach on draft weekend to weaponize the offense around first-round quarterback Drake Maye.

After striking out on prized free-agent Calvin Ridley, New England’s wide receiver room looked too similar to the Mac Jones era. Although Jones’s failures have several layers, Mac’s supporting cast was lacking during his time in Foxboro. With a new era upon us, things must be different for Maye.

Hopefully, the third overall pick in the 2024 draft will elevate his supporting cast with his superior physical traits. Still, the Patriots need to learn their lesson about how vital playmakers and a solid offensive line are around a young quarterback. Blame whoever you want for Jones being a bust. Regardless of how you split the blame pie, this is a fact: the Patriots weapons weren’t up to par with the rest of the NFL during Mac’s time as the starting quarterback. With Maye, de facto GM Eliot Wolf is trying not to be an error repeater.

With that in mind, Wolf and the Patriots top brass double-dipped at wide receiver in this year’s draft, selecting Washington’s Ja’Lynn Polk (No. 37) and UCF wideout Javon Baker (No. 110) to pair two deep threats with the cannon-armed Maye. The duo complements each other nicely with Polk as the movable chess piece and Baker as a traditional outside receiver. Although both ran in the low 4.5s in the 40-yard dash at the combine, they play faster than their timed speed suggests.

According to Reel Analytics, a company that tracks in-game athleticism, Polk ranked in the top 10th percentile with an in-game athleticism score of 91.3. Baker also scored well, with an 87.1 score (top-15 percentile). During the Senior Bowl, Zebra Tech clocked Baker at a top speed of 20.99 MPH, the second-fastest time behind North Carolina’s Tez Walker (21.18). Walker ran a 4.36-second 40-yard dash, while Baker clocked a 4.54-second 40, and thus, questions about Baker’s long speed emerged.

Baker’s subpar…