Baker has played only six offensive snaps so far this season.
The New England Patriots’ wide receiver group has not necessarily been lighting the world on fire recently. Through the first four weeks of the 2024 NFL regular season, it has caught just 29 combined passes for 226 yards and a single touchdown.
Granted, not all of that lack of production is due to the wideouts; the Patriots passing offense as a whole has looked mightily disjointed so far. Still, the pass catchers themselves have also not been able to elevate the play of quarterback Jacoby Brissett and the entire unit surrounding him.
Even putting all of that into consideration, rookie wide receiver Javon Baker remains a non-factor for the Patriots. The fourth-round draft pick has played just six offensive snaps all season, plus 11 more on special teams, and has yet to touch the ball.
According to Alex Van Pelt, it all comes down to doing the little things right.
“For Javon, it’s really the details,” the Patriots’ offensive coordinator told reporters on Thursday. “Lining up correctly, running the right routes, earning the trust of the coaching staff and the quarterback as well.
Baker split his college career between Alabama and Central Florida before hearing his name called 110th overall in this year’s draft. An enticing prospect due to his ability to challenge teams deep from the perimeter, he showed flashes of his talent over the course of his first NFL training camp.
However, he never established himself as a consistent presence. Baker, after all, rode the rookie roller coaster throughout the summer: for every highlight reel catch there were some lowlight plays that made it clear he still had a ways to go before being ready ton contribute.
The young pass catcher also did not help his own case when he live-streamed himself ranting about an interaction with police after receiving a traffic ticket. The Patriots ended up disciplining Baker for the incident.
Heading into New England’s Week 5 game against the Miami Dolphins, he now finds himself buried on the depth chart. Fellow outside receivers Ja’Lynn Polk, Tyquan Thornton and Kayshon Boutte have all seen more opportunities over the last month, while DeMario Douglas and K.J. Osborn both play starter-level roles.
While Osborn’s current injury status might change the outlook for this week’s game, the team also has Kendrick Bourne waiting in the wings after his recent return to practice. The best route for Baker to climb up the depth chart, therefore, will be to show both his coaches and his quarterback that he can be trusted to get the job done when called upon.
And as Van Pelt pointed out, raw talent itself is not the issue in that regard.
“Extremely talented guy. Ability to play the ball in the air and his ball skills are great. His ability to win and separate is there,” he said. “There is a bright future there. He just has to come on and tighten down the details.”