Draft Analysis: Javon Baker

April 11, 2024 /
  • Height: 6’1″
  • Weight: 202
  • College: UCF
  • Tape watched: Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Cincinnati, Georgia Tech, Tulane
  • NFL Comparison: Brandon Aiyuk

Pros

  • Route Running

Javon Baker is one of the premier route runners in this draft class. His deep analytical stats are in elite territories, posting 3.21 Yards per Route Run and 17.1 Average Depth of Target. He can push downfield or snap off of his route stems smoothly. His lower body displays great elasticity, allowing him to cut outside his frame and really sell fakes to defenders. Baker is efficient with his hand and arm usage through his routes. He also shows great effort to stack on vertical routes. Baker is fantastic at chasing the back shoulder of his defender and gets false turns out of defensive backs. Refining his play strength through contact is an area for improvement.

Baker can’t allow himself to get run into the sideline like this
  • Playmaking

Javon Baker plays wide receiver like Spiderman. Some of the catches he makes in traffic are ridiculous. With 1,100 yards on only 52, yes 52 receptions, Baker makes the most of every target he gets. He doesn’t make a ton of defenders miss on the ground, but he picks up yards after the catch. I believe a higher usage in a creative offense will unlock another aspect of Baker’s game.

Seriously?
  • Release

I saw just about every release tool the game of football has to offer in Javon Baker’s bag. As mentioned, his lower body has great flexibility to cut and bend well outside the frames of defenders. He keeps his center of gravity low for stability and hides his chest from press punches. I like his sudden footwork off the line of scrimmage as well.

Teach tape on vertical outside releases here

Midline

  • Blocking

Javon Baker is an adequate blocking receiver. He uses his long arms to his advantage. He can jump at defenders and miss his targets at times.

Baker never gets his helmet between the ball carrier and his defender. He also throws his arms out instead of working inside the shoulders of his assignment.
  • Athleticism

Comparatively, Javon Baker is an average NFL athlete in terms of athleticism. His 4.54s 40-yard dash lines up with his game speed. He isn’t a consistent deep threat, but can still threaten a defense at times with his route running technique. I think he is more shifty and explosive than his testing metrics portray.

Cons

  • Hands

It is impossible to ignore, Baker has had a consistent struggle with catching the football. He does not display the most natural hands on routine plays. Fourteen drops in two seasons is a major red flag heading into the NFL where space and the margin of error shrinks exponentially.

Overview

Javon Baker is a really fun NFL prospect. I was particularly high on Jason Brownlee Jr. last year for a lot of similar traits and the playstyle that Baker shows. The harder the catch, the better the chance of Baker answering the call. He does plenty after the catch with just enough experience in the slot that brings further potential opportunities his way. If he can clean up the drops and play stronger through his routes, he could be a gem in this draft.