‘Bring y’all popcorn’: 5 things to know about new Patriots WR Javon Baker
"I make people in wheelchairs stand up."
Coming off a dismal offensive season, the Patriots have made a concerted effort to prioritize that side of the ball in the NFL Draft.
Their latest pick, University of Central Florida wide receiver Javon Baker, is explosive and a major threat downfield.
Baker (6-foot-1, 208 pounds), the 110th overall selection, led the Big 12 in receiving yards (1,139) last year. Here are five things to know about Drake Maye’s newest target.
He started his career at Alabama.
Baker, an Atlanta native, began his collegiate career with the Crimson Tide.
He appeared in 19 games over two seasons, but he caught just nine passes for 116 yards and a touchdown in that span.
“There’s going to always be a chip on my shoulder, no matter what,” Baker said. “I’m self-driven. I know how it feels to be behind somebody, I know how it feels to be bottom of the depth chart.”
He transferred to UCF, where he blossomed into a star and one of the Big 12’s elite playmakers. Baker shined as a junior, racking up 56 receptions for 796 yards and five touchdowns over 14 games. He took it to the next level this past season, totaling 52 catches for 1,139 yards and seven touchdowns.
Baker averaged 21.9 yards per catch, which led the conference and put him second in the nation. He was a first-team All-Big 12 selection.
He’s not lacking in confidence.
Baker went live on Instagram and said it “took to [expletive] long” for him to be drafted. He believes other teams will “pay” for not taking him earlier and tweeted “L O L” late Friday night.
Baker, whose Twitter bio is “I HATE DB’s,” said his mentality is simply to kill whoever’s on the other side of him. Baker described himself as someone who can catch any ball, whether it’s thrown to him or not.
“Bring y’all popcorn,” Baker said. “I make people in wheelchairs stand up.”
He knows Drake Maye.
Baker and Maye worked out together back when Maye was initially committed to Alabama.
He said Maye reached out to him once he was picked and expressed his excitement. Maye posted “My guy,” with the sunglasses emoji.
Baker said Maye is accurate, competitive, and can push others while getting pushed himself.
“Me and Drake Maye have a connection going on,” Baker said. “Drake Maye is really, in my opinion, the best quarterback in this draft.”
He’s eager to team up with Maye and fellow wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk.
“Us three alone are going to bring back the winning mentality,” Baker said.
Cam Newton is like a big brother to him.
Baker spent time on Cam Newton’s 7-on-7 team, and he referred to his bond with Newton as a “big brother relationship.”
When Baker visited Massachusetts, he spoke with people about Newton, which helped him form authentic connections.
He said Newton told him to keep his head down and keep working.
He’s grateful for the opportunity.
Baker called the Patriots a “winning-mentality organization” and appears eager to vault New England back into prominence.
He said he “can’t wait to put on the uniform.” He described himself as a team player who will do whatever it takes to win, and he feels he’s ready to prove himself on a grand stage.
“There wouldn’t be a better opportunity and a better place to go to than this place,” Baker said.
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