It’s been a quiet start to the season for rookie wide receiver Javon Baker.
The fourth-round pick has played just six offensive snaps this season — all coming back in Week 2 — and has not yet recorded a catch. But, that could soon change as the New England Patriots look for a spark at the wide receiver position.
“The last couple weeks, he’s put together great weeks of practice,” head coach Jerod Mayo said Friday of Baker. “Now, hopefully he gets an opportunity to go out there and play some receiver. He’s an explosive player. We need to see that on Sunday.”
After spending the last three weeks on the inactive list, New England attempted to get the ball in Baker’s hands as a kick returner against the Jets. He ended up returning just one for 17 yards.
“Add a little extra juice back there. He’s an explosive athlete. He’s getting better by the week, maturing in all levels as a football player. Think he just adds another element with an explosive playmaker back there — which is what you’re looking for.”
Now the attention should turn to the offensive side of things, where a full depth chart — that includes seven wide receivers on their 53-man roster — has been part of the reason Baker has had issues seeing the field. To date, New England has opted for veterans such as K.J. Osborn or Tyquan Thornton in depth situations.
That could change with the 22-year-old Baker’s recent practice performances, while the upcoming trade deadline could also result in New England moving off a veteran or two at the position.
“It’s always tough, wanting to win now and also to develop players,” Mayo said of balancing the playing time in the room. “But that’s something that we’ve had to deal with since training camp and earlier in the season. So, those guys do a good job though, preparing as if they’re the starters, and we’ll see what they can do.”
The lack of production on the field should also leave more snaps available for Baker. This season, Osborn has totaled just seven catches for 57 yards. Tyquan Thornton has hauled in just four passes for 47 yards.
The group is also coming off a game in which they dropped four total passes, although Mayo has liked the response they’ve shown as a whole this past week.
“I would say first, there weren’t a lot of balls on the ground. I think that was first and foremost, and that goes back to focus,” he shared. “I would also say those guys came out with good energy, knowing that the last week just wasn’t good enough. I think we all look forward to those guys going out and putting on a good performance.”
